It's hard enough to make a 60-yard field goal in the NFL and it's almost impossible to do it twice in a row, but that's exactly what Brett Maher did against the Vikings just before halftime on Sunday.
With 13 seconds to go until the half, the Cowboys weren't anywhere near field goal range, but then Dak Prescott hit CeeDee Lamb with a 27-yard pass that changed everything. The catch moved the Cowboys down to Minnesota's 42-yard line, which opened the door for a 60-yard field goal attempt by Maher.
For most teams, attempting a field goal from 60 yards would be viewed as a low percentage kick, but not for the Cowboys, and that's because Maher has never missed from 60 yards or longer. Entering Sunday's game, Maher had made three field goals from 60 yards or more in his career, which is the NFL record.
Maher appeared to add to that total when he hit from 60 yards against the Vikings ... but the KICK WAS WAIVED OFF. After the ball went through the uprights, the officiating crew announced that they were going to review Lamb's catch. Since there was under two minutes left in the half, the booth had a right to review the play, but in this instance, it appeared the refs didn't call for the replay until after Maher made his kick.
If New York wanted to review whether that was a catch by CeeDee Lamb, why was the game not stopped before the FG by Brett Maher?
— Ed Werder (@WerderEdESPN) November 20, 2022
After reviewing Lamb's catch, the officials ruled that the ruling on the field would stand and that the catch would count.
After finishing the review, Maher then had to go out and try the 60-yard field AGAIN, which is basically the same thing as asking someone to hit another hole-in-one. To put into perspective how difficult it is to hit from 60 yards, just consider this: Before Sunday, there had only been TWO field goals all year from 60 yards or more. Also, NFL kickers have hit just 17.1% of their kicks from beyond 60 yards in NFL history.
With the numbers stacked against him, Maher had to attempt another one, and once again, HE MADE IT.
The field goal gave the Cowboys a 23-3 lead and helped Maher break his own record for most career field goals from 60 yards or more. The Cowboys kicker has now hit four, which is wildly impressive when you consider that no other kicker has more than two.
Maher now joins Wil Lutz and Harrison Butker as the only kickers in the NFL this year who have made a field goal from 60 yards or beyond.
The Cowboys kicker has hit a total of three field goals in a game where Dallas is steamrolling the Vikings. For a live look at the game, be sure to click here so you can follow along with everything that's happening in Minnesota.
FAQs
George Blanda has made the most career field goals when gaining 60+ all-purpose yards, with 335 field goals.
Who kicked 60 plus yard field goal? ›
(Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker holds the NFL record with a 66-yard field goal made against the Detroit Lions in 2021.) Now, Bates has 64-yard and 62-yard kicks on his resume in just two games played.
Who broke the NFL kicking record? ›
1. 66 yards – Justin Tucker, Baltimore Ravens (2021) Tucker's 66-yard field goal is the longest in NFL history.
What's the longest field goal in Cowboys history? ›
Game Context: Maher set Dallas' franchise record with a 63-yard shot that put the Cowboys up 20 at halftime against their NFC East rivals, the Philadelphia Eagles.
What NFL kicker never missed a field goal? ›
Gould is the ninth-most accurate placekicker in NFL history, and never missed a field goal or an extra-point attempt in the postseason. Gould finished his career as the 10th all-time leading scorer in NFL history.
Has anyone ever made a 70 yard field goal? ›
Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker shows off ridiculous leg with moonshot field goal at Pro Bowl practice.
Who kicked a 65 yard field goal in the NFL? ›
He played college football at the University of Texas and was signed by the Ravens as an undrafted free agent in 2012. Regarded as one of the greatest placekickers of all time, Tucker is the most accurate kicker in NFL history at 90.2 percent and holds the record for the longest successful NFL field goal at 66 yards.
What QB has beaten every team? ›
Four quarterbacks in NFL history have beaten all 32 teams: Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Peyton Manning and Brett Favre. Chiefs fans will hope that Mahomes retires a Chief and never joins that list.
What NFL kicker only had half a foot? ›
Born with no fingers on his right hand and only half a right foot, which was fitted with a specially-made shoe, the 270-pound Dempsey sent a kick into orbit that made it across the crossbar by about a foot — setting off a wild celebration on the field and in the stands.
Who was the kicker with no toes? ›
Tom Dempsey's Career Background
Born without toes on his right foot and fingers on his right hand, Dempsey was a resilient kicker who earned his place in NFL record books. He was signed by the San Diego Chargers in 1968 prior to coming to New Orleans in 1969.
Ove Claes Johansson (March 31, 1948 – September 30, 2023) was an American football placekicker and the current holder of the record for the longest field goal ever kicked during an American football game, at 69 yards (63 m), for Abilene Christian University in their October 16, 1976 victory over East Texas State.
Who kicked a 76 yard field goal? ›
The longest field goal attempt in an NFL game was 76 yards by Sebastian Janikowski of the Oakland Raiders against the San Diego Chargers on September 28, 2008. Right-footed; game-winning field goal as time expired; ball bounced off crossbar before crossing the plane. Born with a stub for a right foot.
Has anyone kicked a 68 yard field goal? ›
Dirk Borgognone (born January 9, 1968) is a former National Football League placekicker who currently holds the record for the longest field goal ever kicked in the history of high school football, 68 yards.
What NFL kicker kicked a 61 yard field goal? ›
Can't-Miss Play: Philadelphia Eagles kicker Jake Elliott nails a career-long 61-yard field goal as the halftime buzzer sounds.
What kicker kicked a 64 yard field goal? ›
Only two kickers in NFL history have ever hit a field goal from 64 yards or longer: Justin Tucker (66 yards in 2021) and Matt Prater (64 yards in 2013).
Who has the most 60-yard touchdown in NFL history? ›
Most 60-plus yard touchdowns -- NFL history
- DeSean Jackson -- 26.
- Jerry Rice -- 23.
- Devin Hester -- 21.
- Bobby Mitchell -- 19.
- Lance Alworth -- 17.
- Tyreek Hill -- 17.
Fact. There's never been a kicker in Pittsburgh Steelers history as good from 50-plus yards than Chris Boswell. And he's arguably one of the NFL's best-ever, too.
