Preseason NFL games often elude the mainstream spotlight, lacking the adrenaline-packed drama regular and post-season games offer. However, Dallas Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey broke through the preseason obscurity in spectacular fashion, smashing a 66-yard field goal during the Cowboys' 27-12 triumph over the Las Vegas Raiders. While preseason stats do not officially enter NFL record books, Aubrey’s remarkable achievement shines brightly, setting a new bar for extraordinary preseason performances.
What makes Aubrey’s 66-yarder monumental is not just its distance, but its capability to tie the NFL's overall record set by Justin Tucker in 2021. Tucker's record-setting kick wasn't just any field goal; it was a nail-biting, pressure-packed 66-yarder that sealed a narrow 19-17 win for the Baltimore Ravens over the Detroit Lions. Tucker’s legendary kick highlighted the critical importance of precision and mental fortitude, cornerstones endemic to high-stakes NFL moments.
The realm of lengthy field goals in the preseason had been relatively quiet since 2002 when Ola Kimrin etched his name into the history books with a 65-yard field goal for the Denver Broncos during training camp. Before Aubrey, Kimrin's kick had been the gold standard for preseason distance, earning him fleeting accolades. However, Kimrin's NFL career was short-lived, featuring only five regular-season games with Washington in 2004, and a modest 60% success rate on field goals, including a miss from beyond 50 yards. Still, his 65-yarder was a remarkable mark, considering the era and context.
In the period from 2003 to 2023, an incremental yet noticeable development occurred in the field of long-range kicking. The NFL witnessed 29 successful field goals from 60 yards or more in regular-season play, underscoring kickers' evolving strength and precision. Previously, only Tucker and now Aubrey have managed to top Kimrin's 65-yarder when taking both preseason and regular-season games into account. This progression evidences not only superior training but also advanced metrics and analytics aiding player development.
NFL's Next Gen Stats further amplifies the greatness of Aubrey’s 66-yard field goal, indicating that the kick could have been successful from as far as 72 yards. This analysis underscores Aubrey's potential to be a game-changer for the Dallas Cowboys. His prowess is not unfounded; indeed, Aubrey has confidently remarked that he has successfully kicked from as far back as 70 yards in practice. Such declarations highlight not only his skill but also his confidence, indispensable traits for any NFL kicker aiming to perform under pressure.
As the preseason winds down and the regular season looms on the horizon, the Dallas Cowboys may have discovered a kicker capable of delivering moments that can alter the outcome of games. In an era where every point counts and games can be decided by the narrowest of margins, the importance of a reliable kicker cannot be overstated. Aubrey's 66-yarder doesn't just break records; it sets the stage for what could potentially be a game-changing element for the Cowboys.
While preseason fireworks like Aubrey's kick might not enter the official annals of NFL history, they serve as compelling precursors to what the regular season could bring. If Aubrey can maintain this kind of performance, the Cowboys might find themselves with not just a reliable kicker but a potential legend in the making. NFL fans and analysts alike will undoubtedly be keeping an eye on Brandon Aubrey as the regular season unfolds, anticipating whether he can replicate or even surpass this extraordinary feat under the brighter lights and higher stakes of regular-season play.