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The Upshot|The New Chip Shot in the N.F.L.: 50-Yard Field Goals
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/17/upshot/nfl-field-goal-kickers-records.html
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Kickers are better than ever, but the record pace of long attempts this season has been remarkable.
By Ben Blatt
Ben Blatt previously worked as a data analyst for the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Nov. 17, 2024Updated 4:40 p.m. ET
In September, Brandon Aubrey of the Dallas Cowboys kicked a 65-yard field goal, the second longest in N.F.L. history. It was hardly a fluke: So far this season, he has made nine field goals of 50 or more yards. Just 20 years ago, the Cowboys did not make a single field goal of 50 yards all season (trying only twice).
It’s evidence of how a once rare offensive option in the N.F.L. has become a new standard: the long field goal kick.
Change in field-goal attempts since 2004
Through the first 10 weeks of the season, there have been 153 attempts of at least 50 yards, compared with just 58 in the same period in 2004. The frequency of shorter field goals has stayed about the same.
The reason for the change? Kickers are better than they used to be.
They’re more consistent: The success percentage for kicks under 40 yards has gone from 89 percent in 2004 to 97 percent so far this season.
And though kickers have gotten more precise across the board, the greatest improvement has come with long kicks — distances that a generation ago were essentially attempted only in desperation.
Percent of field goals made by year
Percent of 50+ yard field-goal attempts that fell short
Source: nflfastR. Only field goals marked "short" in official play-by-play description counted. 2024 data through Week 10.
Field-goal attempts of 55 yards or more
Excluding attempts in the last two minutes of each half
Source: nflfastR. Through week 10.
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