Kicking a football 60-plus yards in an NFL game is no joke. With the crowd roaring and giant defenders charging, nailing a field goal is far from easy. But jaws drop when someone steps up and sends the ball soaring from over 60 yards out. That’s exactly what happened when Justin Tucker booted his way into the history books. Tucker holds the record for the longest field goal in NFL history, a 66-yard stunner that gave the Baltimore Ravens a thrilling last-second win over the Detroit Lions in 2021. Before Tucker, the record belonged to Matt Prater, who made a 64-yard field goal in 2013 while playing for the Broncos. Let’s get into how Tucker set this incredible record and which player nearly toppled his achievement.
When and Where Did Justin Tucker Record The Longest Field Goal In NFL History?
Justin Tucker’s incredible 66-yard field goal happened on September 26, 2021, in a game against the Detroit Lions. The Ravens were trailing 17-16 with only three seconds left on the clock. Baltimore needed a miracle, and they turned to Tucker. As the snap occurred, Tucker kicked the ball hard. It hit the crossbar but bounced in, clinching a 19-17 win for the Ravens. The Lions fans watched in stunned silence as history unfolded in front of them. Tucker’s 66-yard field goal wasn’t just the longest in NFL history—it was the definition of clutch.
Before Tucker, the longest field goal record was held by Matt Prater. In 2013, while playing for the Denver Broncos, Prater booted a 64-yard field goal against the Tennessee Titans. Prater’s kick had broken Tom Dempsey’s 43-year-old record, a 63-yard field goal that Dempsey made in 1970. These long kicks are rare, but when they happen, they are unforgettable.
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Which Player Came Closest to Breaking the Longest Field Goal Record?
Brandon Aubrey, the Dallas Cowboys’ rising star, came within a yard of matching Tucker’s record in 2024. During Week 3, Aubrey booted a 65-yard field goal against the Baltimore Ravens. With his leg strength, it wasn’t just about distance—he nailed it with room to spare. Aubrey’s kick set a new franchise record for the Cowboys, surpassing Brett Maher’s 63-yarder in 2019. It also sent a message that Aubrey might be the one to dethrone Tucker.
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Other kickers have also come close to breaking the record. Matt Prater remains a force with another 62-yarder in 2023 while playing for the Cardinals. Players like Brett Maher, Sebastian Janikowski, Graham Gano, and Jason Elam have each recorded 63 yards, showing just how competitive the race for the longest kick remains.
Will The Longest Field Goal Record Ever Be Broken?
Brandon Aubrey’s rise makes it almost inevitable that someone will surpass Justin Tucker’s 66-yard field goal record. Aubrey’s 65-yard kick in 2024 showed that the gap is closing. His powerful leg, paired with his accuracy, makes him a serious contender to leapfrog Tucker soon. Plus, Veterans like Matt Prater easily hit field goals from beyond 60 yards, so we shouldn’t forget them.
But will it happen soon? That’s a more challenging question. The combination of ideal weather, perfect game conditions, and raw leg power needed to break Tucker’s record is rare. Kickers might come close—as Aubrey did—but everything needs to align for someone to nail a 67-yard field goal in a high-pressure situation.
Still, with advancements in training and equipment technology, there is a great possibility that someone will break it within the next few seasons, it’s only a matter of time. Tucker’s record, as impressive as it is, feels like a challenge more than an untouchable milestone. The real question might not be whether someone will break the record but who will be the first to do it.
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