Every game in the NFL is won or lost by virtue of the number of goals scored. While the most hyped form of points scoring is touchdowns, a field goal is an equally important metric for the teams if they want to get a stronghold on the game. After all, scoring a touchdown is much harder and requires a specific skill set for the offensive athlete. With field goals becoming a common sight inside the NFL gridiron, here is everything you need to know about the field goal in the NFL.
What Is A Field Goal?
A field goal is the most popular form of scoring in the National Football League. In order to score a legal field goal, a team must take possession of the ball, while executing a place kick or a drop kick. While in the air, the ball must go in between the two uprights and over the bar. In order for the goal to be considered legal, the ball must travel entirely through the vertical plane of the goal.
PACKERS BLOCK THE FIELD GOAL FOR THE WIN.#GBvsCHI pic.twitter.com/gq8zbz965C
— NFL (@NFL) November 17, 2024
However, there is a catch. According to the NFL rules, a legal field goal can only be made during a play from scrimmage. Well, there is an exception for a fair catch kick. But such type of play is extremely rare in the NFL.
How Many Points Are Awarded In A Field Goal?
According to the NFL’s latest point-scoring system, a team will be awarded 3 points for a field goal. While this is significantly lesser than the 6-point play in case of a touchdown, most teams usually rely on picking up as many field goals as possible besides the TDs. For example, when the match is tied at the fag end of the game, a successful execution of a field goal might decide the game for a team.
What Is ‘Wide Right,’ ‘Wide Left,’ And ‘Short’?
Sometimes, a team fails to convert a kick into a field goal successfully. In such situations, several terms are used to describe them. For example, if the ball goes wide of the crossbar on the left, it is called a ‘Wide Left.’
Similarly, if a ball is kicked wide of the crossbar to the right, it is known as a ‘Wide Right.’ Now, there are also instances when the ball does not have enough legs to travel to the crossbar. Such a play is then described as a ‘Short.’
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Also Read: What Is A Fair Catch? Everything You Need To Know
Similarly, if a ball is kicked wide of the crossbar to the right, it is known as a ‘Wide Right.’ Now, there are also instances when the ball does not have enough legs to travel to the crossbar. Such a play is then described as a ‘Short.’
Can A Field Goal Attempt Be Blocked?
Yes, a field goal can be blocked by the defending team. In such a situation, the ball lands behind the neutral zone. Such a situation is considered to be a ‘fumble’ from the attacking team. While there is no penalty imposed for a blocked field goal, the play remains open. Players from either team can pounce on the ball and restart the play again.
What Are Field Goal Returns?
Field Goal Return is something that is seldom seen in the NFL. It usually occurs when a field goal attempt comes out short. In such a situation, the returners will instantly down the ball to mark the spot of the kick as the scrimmage. In most of the situations, such a play is initiated only when the time left is not enough to start a line of scrimmage play. Now, the record of returning the highest yards for a touchdown in modern times is held jointly by Antonio Cromartie(2007) and Jamal Agnew(2021). Both of them returned 109 yards.
What Are The Top 5 Longest Field Goals In NFL History?
There have been quite a lot of field goals scored from staggering distances. However, these top five longest goals go on to show the incredible amount of talent that the NFL possesses. The top five longest field goals are as follows: 62 yards, 63 yards, 64 yards, 65 yards, and 66 yards. Justin Tucker of the Baltimore Ravens holds the record for scoring the longest field goal back in 2021.
Also Read: What Are The Longest Plays In NFL Super Bowl History?
