Brandon Aubrey: Cowboys' Kicking Phenomenon
In a sport where margins are often slim and single plays can turn the tide of a game, special teams play an undeniably crucial role. For the Dallas Cowboys, their 2023 season has been made all the more captivating by the remarkable performances of Brandon Aubrey, their first-team All-Pro kicker. For a team that has seen its share of ups and downs over the years, Aubrey's prowess with the pigskin has added an electrifying dynamic to Dallas's game plan.
Early in the season, Aubrey already made waves by notching a record-breaking 65-yard field goal against the Baltimore Ravens at AT&T Stadium, setting a new benchmark for the Cowboys and etching his name into NFL history books with the second-longest field goal ever recorded. "He's so impressive with his consistency from that distance," remarked Cowboys' head coach, Mike McCarthy, acknowledging how Aubrey's precision and power have been crucial assets for the team.
As the season progressed, the Cowboys made it clear they were unafraid of taking chances. In Week 15, while facing the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte, Aubrey attempted a jaw-dropping 70-yard field goal. Although the kick missed wide to the left, the audacity of the attempt visibly resonated with Cowboys' fans and the NFL's broader community. Despite facing the challenges of kicking outdoors, McCarthy wished for more favorable conditions, saying, "I wish we were indoors."
Cowboys' special teams coordinator, John "Bones" Fassel, reflected on the audacious attempt, stating, "The worst thing that could happen is they put a returner back there, and we have to cover." His confidence in Aubrey's leg strength did not waver, as he boldly affirmed, "Yeah, he's got 70 in him, for sure." Fassel's keen insight into Aubrey's technique underscored the magnitude of the effort: "You see on tape, he did a little skip step, and he just tried to drive it."
Describing the challenging conditions of the kick, Fassel added, "Seventy-yarder into the wind, that was different, and that was going to take extra." Not one to shy away from daring decisions, Fassel hinted that similar opportunities could lie ahead, asserting, "If we get in that position again, I'm sure we'll attempt it again, taking the conditions into factor."
However, the missed field goal was not the end of the play. Panthers' Deven Thompkins seized the moment, returning the missed attempt 37 yards, demonstrating the high-risk, high-reward nature of such a bold decision.
As the regular season draws closer to its conclusion, the Cowboys are strategically positioned to showcase Aubrey's talents at AT&T Stadium during Weeks 16 and 18, with a crucial Week 17 fixture slated against the Philadelphia Eagles. It remains to be seen just how influential Aubrey's kicking ability will be as the Cowboys vie for playoff contention. But one thing is certain: Brandon Aubrey has made and will continue to make an indelible impact on Dallas’s season. In a sport characterized by its unpredictability and intensity, players like Aubrey who can change the game with a single kick are invaluable.
In a season brimming with electrifying moments and game-changing feats, Brandon Aubrey has emerged as not just a consistent presence for the Cowboys, but a thrilling force reshaping what fans might expect from the special teams position. As the Cowboys press forward, eyes across the league will undoubtedly be watching to see just how many more big kicks Aubrey can make for the storied franchise.