During the NFL’s recent Thursday Night Football clash between the Giants and the Cowboys, an unexpected event left some bettors in disappointment. The Cowboys were favored to win the match with a 5.5-point spread, holding a promising 20-15 lead as the clock reached the 2:28 mark in the fourth quarter. To secure victory and run down the clock, the Cowboys executed three consecutive plays, ending in a fourth down with only 32 seconds remaining.
Enter Cowboys’ field-goal expert, Brandon Aubrey. His immaculate record at that point of the season sat at 12-for-12 and 48-for-50 in his career. Considering Aubrey’s reputation, his attempt at a 50-yard field goal was widely believed to be a surefire success. Additionally, Aubrey had previously hit a 60-yard field goal in the third quarter of the match, and in the previous week had notched up a 65-yard kick – the second-longest field goal on record in NFL history. His remarkable form extended to a career tally of 16-for-16 successful attempts at goals of 50-plus yards.
However, the situation took an unexpected turn for Aubrey, who missed the crucial 51-yard goal, effectively shattering his impressive streak. As a result, this proved a bitter defeat for the punters who had bet on the Cowboys to cover the 5.5-point spread. If successful, the field goal would have also rewarded those who backed the spread when it stood at six points.
Post Aubrey’s missed kick, the Giants’ Daniel Jones made a futile interception in an attempt to snatch victory. However, the final outcome saw Dallas triumphing at 20-15. With a career record of three 60-yard field goals, Aubrey now only requires one more to equal the current record, which is held by Brett Maher. Maher, Matt Prater, Greg Zuerlein, and Aubrey make up the only kickers in NFL history to have hit three or more 60-plus-yard goals.
