Preseason NFL games often go unnoticed, lacking the high-stakes drama that autumn Sundays deliver. However, one moment in the recent game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Las Vegas Raiders has carved its way into the annals of the NFL's most remarkable preseason performances. In a dazzling display of skill, Dallas Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey nailed a 66-yard field goal, setting a new standard for what can be achieved under the preseason lights.
The Cowboys emerged victorious with a 27-12 win over the Raiders, but it was Aubrey’s staggering field goal that stole the spotlight. Despite the fact that preseason stats do not make it into the NFL's official record book, Aubrey’s achievement is nothing short of historical. His 66-yard field goal ties the overall NFL record set by Justin Tucker in 2021, a kick that clinched a 19-17 victory for the Baltimore Ravens over the Detroit Lions in a pressure-packed regular-season game.
Before Aubrey’s headline-grabbing kick, the preseason record for the longest field goal stood at 65 yards, a benchmark set by Ola Kimrin in 2002. Kimrin, who was then part of the Denver Broncos' training camp, ultimately played just five career regular-season games in the NFL, all with Washington in 2004, and finished his limited career with a 60% field goal success rate.
As of this writing, only four field goals in NFL history had surpassed the 60-yard mark before Kimrin's 65-yarder. Between 2003 and 2023, the league witnessed a total of 29 successful field goals from 60 yards or more in regular-season play. Only Justin Tucker and Brandon Aubrey have managed to eclipse Kimrin's 65-yard record, considering both preseason and regular-season games.
Aubrey’s 66-yarder not only validates his remarkable abilities but also suggests that the Dallas Cowboys might have unearthed a kicker of exceptional talent. According to NFL's Next Gen Stats, Aubrey’s successful kick would have been good from as far back as 72 yards, pushing the boundaries of what fans and analysts thought possible.
"Aubrey himself has confidently noted that he has successfully kicked from as far back as 70 yards in practice."
Such remarkable range could prove game-changing for any team, particularly in high-pressure situations where every yard counts. The Cowboys, who are heading into the regular season with increasing optimism, may have just found themselves a hidden gem in their kicking game, a position often overlooked until it's crucial.
As the preseason winds down and the NFL regular season looms around the corner, Brandon Aubrey's 66-yard field goal will be remembered as a modern benchmark for preseason excellence. It serves as a reminder that even in games that don’t count toward a team's official record, extraordinary moments can still unfold, electrifying fans and rewriting the history books.