Aubrey's Historic Feats and Attempts Mark a Pivotal NFL Season
The 2023 NFL season has spotlighted Brandon Aubrey as a key player for the Dallas Cowboys, marking him as their first-team All-Pro kicker. The young kicker not only gained recognition for his consistent reliability but also etched his name in the annals of NFL history with a series of remarkable performances.
In a thrilling Week 3 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens at AT&T Stadium, Aubrey unleashed a 65-yard field goal that left fans and analysts alike in awe. This formidable kick not only secured his place in Cowboys lore as the longest field goal in the franchise's history but also ranked as the second-longest in the entirety of NFL records. His precision and power were so impressive that even Cowboys' head coach Mike McCarthy couldn't withhold his admiration, stating, "He's so impressive with his consistency from that distance."
However, the season was not without its challenges. During Week 15, Aubrey faced an altogether different test—the potential of a 70-yard field goal attempt against the Carolina Panthers. Taking place outdoors in Charlotte, this ambitious try unfortunately went wide to the left. Panthers' return specialist, Deven Thompkins, seized the opportunity to return the missed attempt for 37 yards, making a play that was both exhilarating and exemplary of the high stakes involved in such audacious attempts.
Cowboys' special teams coordinator, John "Bones" Fassel, reflected on the decision-making that led to the game-changing attempt. Emphasizing the confidence in Aubrey's abilities, he remarked, "Yeah, he's got 70 in him, for sure." Yet, the conditions were less than favorable, and Fassel acknowledged the gamble: "Seventy-yarder into the wind, that was different, and that was going to take extra."
The intricacies of executing such a monumental kick were also highlighted by Fassel, who explained, "You see on tape, he did a little skip step, and he just tried to drive it." The art of field-goal kicking, especially from extreme distances, demands not only immense skill but also strategic consideration of environmental factors. Fassel elaborated, "It’s going to come out low, and a block, you never know who ends up with the ball in their hands."
Despite the setback, the Cowboys' coaching staff remains unabashedly optimistic about Aubrey’s future potential in similar situations. "If we get in that position again, I'm sure we'll attempt it again, taking the conditions into factor," Fassel confidently noted, highlighting the team's forward-thinking approach and trust in Aubrey's capabilities.
Looking ahead, the Cowboys are set to conclude their regular season with crucial games at their home base, AT&T Stadium, in Weeks 16 and 18. A challenging Week 17 away game also looms against the Philadelphia Eagles, a matchup that is certain to test the mettle of the entire team. The familiar indoor environment in the home games might offer Aubrey the perfect stage to consolidate his reputation as a kicker capable of rewriting history books—though as Mike McCarthy wistfully noted regarding the challenges of playing outdoors, "I wish we were indoors."
In a sport where precision can pivot whole seasons, Brandon Aubrey's stories, kicks, and close shaves provide a compelling narrative not only for Cowboys fans but for enthusiasts of gridiron drama everywhere. His 2023 season serves as a testament to the blend of raw athleticism, strategic decision-making, and the sheer thrill of pushing boundaries in professional sports.