The beauty of field goals in the NFL lies in its mixture of accuracy, pressure, and drama. There are moments where everything comes down to one kick, with the weight of the game resting on the shoulders of the kicker.
A successful field goal will always yield 3 points, and teams will look to cover these points if the offense doesn't believe they can score a TD. Last-second FG attempts have decided countless games and generated some of the most iconic moments in NFL history.
Some best clutch kicks include Justin Tucker's 43-yard game-winning FG in 2022 against the Bengals. Likewise, Mason Crosby's 51-yard FG against the 49ers won the game for the Packers in 2021.
A team can make a strategy to make yardage gain to allow a feasible kicking distance for winning the game during the final hours without needing the end zone. Now, a kicker can incentivize this offensive execution and add value to every yard gained.
A skilled kicker can score from longer distances too, and this is a testament to their accuracy and dedication to the craft. Here is a list of the longest Field Goals that were ever recorded in the NFL.
Justin Tucker marked his name in NFL history by kicking a record-breaking 66-yard field goal as time expired in a 19-17 win over the Detroit Lions. He launched the bomb on Ford Field.
This marvelous feat was achieved on September 26, 2021, and cemented Tucker's place as one of the greatest NFL kickers.
His 66-yard FG was set up by a long completion from Lamar Jackson on 4th-and-19. With seconds left on the clock, Tucker positioned himself for the attempt and successfully sent the ball through the uprights, causing a powerful reaction on the Ravens' sideline.
Due to the FG, Tucker was named the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week and received the 2021 Bridgestone NFL Moment of the Year.
On December 8, 2013, Matt Prater made history by making a 64-yard field goal at the end of the first half and set a new NFL record.
This FG was critical in securing the 51-28 Broncos win against the Titans. The Denver franchise was losing by 4 points, and Prater's kick brought the score deficit to 1 before halftime.
This record-breaking kick stood for over seven years (2013 to 2021), showcasing Prater's exceptional long-distance kicking abilities. it was finally broken after Justin Tucker's game-winning 66-yard moon shot.
New Orleans Saints kicker Tom Dempsey set the longest kicking record on October 14, 1970, during the game against the Detroit Lions with a 63-yard shot.
The Saints were trailing by 17-16, with only two seconds remaining and Dempsey entered the field to kick the ball.
Known for his unconventional "stoop-toe" kicking style, Tom successfully launched the ball through the uprights and secured a 19-17 victory for the Saints.
This record-breaking kick stood for over 40 years and remains one of the most iconic moments in NFL history. It is important to note that the goal posts were at the goal line at that time, not behind the end zone we see today.
Sebastian Janikowski established the record for the longest FG in NFL history when he shot a 63-yarder against the Denver Broncos on September 12, 2011.
This feat tied the existing record at the time, held by Tom Dempsey (1970) and Jason Elam (1998).
Janikowski's FG attempt came when the Raiders were winning by 13-3 in the 2nd quarter. With time ticking down, the Raiders lined up for a potential game-winning kick.
He successfully made a perfect kick that sailed through the uprights as the first half came to a close. Sebastian had made two other FGs in the same quarter. It is also the longest FG in MNF history.
Back on October 25, 1998, Denver Broncos kicker Jason Elam tied the longest FG record of Tom Dempsey. Elam made a 63-yard moon shot against the Jacksonville Jaguars. This incredible feat happened at that Mile High Stadium.
With the clock ticking, the Broncos decided on a kicking attempt before halftime. Elam successfully converted the shot into a goal by clearing the crossbar.
Jason also made another 32-yard FG in the final minutes of the 4th quarter. Broncos were victorious 37-24.
Today, Elam's cleats that he wore during this historic game are on display in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
San Francisco 49ers' David Akers tied the 63-yard FG record on September 9, 2012, against the Green Bay Packers. His kick occurred at the Lambeau Field and went to the record books alongside Dempsey and Elams.
The record-breaking FG by David Akers took place just before halftime, resulting in a 16-7 halftime lead for the 49ers.The field goal was successful due to a fortunate bounce off the crossbar, allowing it to pass through the uprights.
Akers has made 386 field goals in his NFL career, a feat achieved by only skilled kickers.
Carolina Panthers kicker Graham Gano established an NFL record for the longest field goal with a 63-yard game-winning FG against the New York Giants on October 7, 2018.
Gano's kick came right at the end of the game with just 1 second remaining on the clock. The Giants were leading by a 31-30 score. Gano's powerful shot landed the Panthers a 33-31 win.
The kickers's ability to maintain composure under pressure worked in his favor and Gano etched his name in the record books by driving the ball through the uprights.
A great kicker for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Matt Bryant established a 62-yard game-winning FG on October 22, 2006. The Bucs were playing against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Bryant's exceptional accuracy and kicking prowess were evident as he helped clinch a 23-21 victory for the Buccaneers with his 62-yard field goal. The Bucs were trailing by a 21-20 score before Bryant's feat.
This kick became the second-longest FG in the League after Dempsey and Elam's 63-yard monster at that time. This kick solidified his status as one of the best kickers to ever grace the field.
One of the greatest NFL kickers to play the game, Stephen Gostkowski made a historic 62-yard kick against the Oakland Raiders in Mexico City on November 19, 2017.
This kick took place at Azteca Stadium and assisted the Patriots to secure a 17-0 lead going into halftime. The 62-yard FG broke Gostkowski's own Patriots record of 58 yards, which he had made earlier in October.
This remarkable feat displayed Gostkowski's exceptional kicking ability and composure under pressure, as he successfully converted the FG at the 7300-foot high altitude.
Cowboys' Brett Maher was crucial in the October 2019 game against the New York Jets. Maher converted a powerful 62-yard FG attempt into an awestruck goal.
Maher also made two other FGs in that game. His first came at the start of the 2nd quarter when he launched a 50-yard shot. He was responsible for all the Cowboys' 6 points leading up to the halftime.
This was Maher's second field goal that had 62 or more yards in his career, which made him the first kicker in NFL history to achieve this feat.
Harrison Butker launched a 62-yard field goal against the Buffalo Bills on October 16, 2022. His impressive kick tied the game at 10-10 at halftime. However, the Bills went on to win the game, 24-20.
This kick set a franchise record for the Kansas City Chiefs and broke the previous 58-yard record held by Butker himself. It is also the longest field goal in Arrowhead Stadium history.
Butker also holds the Chiefs record for the most consecutive FGs made, with 23 consecutive successful attempts.
Brett Maher made a 62-yard field goal against the Philadelphia Eagles on December 9, 2018, as the first half came to a close. The game was played at the Cowboys Stadium.
This kick tied for the third-longest field goal in NFL history at the time and also set a new Dallas Cowboys franchise record.
Maher's clutch performance aided the Cowboys to a 29-23 victory over the Eagles. All the 9 points during the 1st half were attributed to Maher's powerful kicks.
Prater has established two 62-yard field goals in his career. His recent one came during the 2023 season against the Dallas Cowboys.
Matt launched a powerful kick at the end of the second quarter and helped the Cardinals further their lead by 21-10. He also scored another FG right before his 62-yard shot, and it was a 43-yard one.
The Cardinals kicker scored three FGs during that game and graced the field with his composure and accuracy.
Ravens legendary kicker Justin Tucker accomplished a 61-yard FG against the Detroit Lions in the 2013 season. His kick assisted the Ravens franchise to win the game by 18-16.
The majority of the game was based on the field goal scoring from both teams. Tucker made 6 FGs in that game alone.
His 61-yard shot came when the Lions led by only 1 point, i.e. 15-16. With 38 seconds remaining in the 4th quarter, Tucker showcased his composure by driving the ball past the uprights.
St. Louis Rams kicker Greg Zuerlein drilled a 61-yard kick against the Minnesota Vikings at the beginning of the 2nd quarter.
With the score at 6-10 after the 1st quarter, Zuerlein faced a daunting challenge: a field goal attempt from his 29-yard line, pushing the limits of his range.
He delivered a perfect strike, the ball soaring through the air and going through the uprights with a satisfying thud. He also scored two other FGs in the same quarter consecutively.
Zuerlein's remarkable feat electrified the crowd and instantly became a highlight of the 2015 NFL season.
Jake Elliott, the Philadelphia Eagles kicker, etched his name in the League by making a game-winning FG at the last second against the New York Giants.
The kicker had already made a 46-yard FG with fifty-one seconds remaining to tie the game at 24-24. His kick hammered the Eagles to a 27-24 victory.
With one powerful swing of his leg, Elliott sent the ball soaring through the uprights as time expired. The pressure was immense, but he remained calm and collected.
Jason Myers, the Seattle Seahawks kicker, has a career-long field goal of 61 yards, achieved on November 15, 2020, against the Los Angeles Rams. His impressive moon shot also set a new franchise record.
Myers' awesome field goal was not only a crucial moment in the game, but it also became a highlight of his career. This feat confirmed his status as a valuable asset to the Seahawks.
His long-range kicking ability can be seen throughout his career and was part of a 37-straight field goal streak. It ended when a 44-yard FG attempt against the Vikings failed in September 2021.
Ka'imi Fairbairn established a franchise record with a 61-yard bomb against the Seattle Seahawks on December 12, 2021. The Texans eventually lost the game by a 33-13 score.
At heading to the locker room at the end of the 2nd quarter, Fairbairn renewed motivation on the Texans' side when his successful kick brought down the score deficit to 16-13.
However, the Texans' offense did not score any points after halftime. Fairbairn made a 21-yard FG at the start of the 2nd quarter.
20. Steve Cox - 60 yards
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ebay )
The former Cleveland Browns player Steve Cox recorded a 60-yard field goal against the Cincinnati Bengals. The game happened on October 21, 1984.
Cox's bomb was the second-longest field goal at that time, behind Tom Dempsey. In the NFL, his impressive kick remains one of only 26 field goals that were shot from 60 yards or more.
A Washington Commanders kicker who joined in 2021, Joey Slye made his longest FG at 61 yards against the Philadelphia Eagles on October 29, 2023. His success propelled the team to a 17-10 lead.
Although the Commanders lost by 38-30, the former Virginia Tech kicker made a great spectacle with his astonishing moon shot. It was also the only FG made by the Commanders' side in the game.
Slye improved over his previous record, which was 58 yards.
Dallas Cowboys young kicker Brandon Aubrey made a statement on December 10, 2023, by making a remarkable 59-yard field goal against the Philadelphia Eagles.
This impressive kick came as time expired in the 1st quarter, giving the Cowboys a 10-0 lead.
He also made another 52-yard stunner at the start of the 2nd quarter. Later, Aubrey made another record by scoring a 59-yard FG in the 3rd quarter. The 4th quarter saw him make two other FGs.
Harrison Butker made his second-longest FG in his career after a 60-yard powerful strike against the Denver Broncos on October 12, 2023.
The bomb came right at the end of the halftime, and his kick sent the Chiefs increasing their lead by 13-0. Butker made a 52-yarder at the end of the game as well.
The former Georgia Tech kicker is one of the most prolific kickers in the NFL today. His 38 FGs in the 2017 season marks the Cheifs record for the most FGs made in a single season.
Cowboys kicker Greg Zuerlein launched a 59-yarder bomb at the end of the second quarter. Zuerlein's success catapulted the Cowboys to a 9-7 lead.
However, Zuerlein was the last person to make any point for the team. The Eagles hammered to a 23-9 victory at the end.
Although the stunning loss, Zeuerlein's kick was still a highlight and reflected his accuracy and mental fortitude. In the same game, he had also made a 49-yarder before the 59-yard shot.
Elliot's 59-yard bomb against the Buffalo Bills was an awesome highlight in the 2023 season. His successful kick propelled the Eagles to overtime with a 31-31 tie. Before the kick, the Bills led by 31-28.
Remaining calm under pressure, the kicker drove the ball straight to the uprights and brought a glorious reaction in the sidelines and stands.
With the new overtime game opportunity, the Eagles went on to win the game by 37-34.
