An Unprecedented Year for Brandon Aubrey and the Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys have seen their share of legendary kickers throughout the franchise's storied history, but the emergence of Brandon Aubrey in 2023 has set a new benchmark. Aubrey, who earned the prestigious honor of being named the Cowboys' first-team All-Pro kicker, has captivated both fans and analysts with his remarkable performances this season.
One of the standout moments in Aubrey's season came in Week 3 when Dallas faced the Baltimore Ravens at the iconic AT&T Stadium. Aubrey kicked a stunning 65-yard field goal, a feat that not only shattered the Cowboys' record for the longest field goal but also etched his name into the annals of NFL history as the second-longest field goal ever recorded. His unprecedented range and accuracy have turned high-stakes field goals into thrilling moments for the Cowboys' faithful.
The man behind the magic, Cowboys' head coach Mike McCarthy, was effusive in his praise. "He's so impressive with his consistency from that distance," McCarthy remarked, emphasizing the kicker’s prowess not just in raw power but in reliability. These words underscore Aubrey's importance to a Cowboys team seeking consistency in a game often decided by narrow margins.
Yet, the trajectory of Aubrey's season reached a different kind of challenge in Week 15. Tasked with a mammoth 70-yard field goal attempt against the Carolina Panthers in the unpredictable outdoor conditions of Charlotte, Aubrey's kick veered wide to the left. Despite the miss, the effort showcased the ambitious scope of the Cowboys' special teams strategy, led by special teams coordinator John "Bones" Fassel.
Fassel's approach demonstrated a calculated willingness to take risks when he stated, "We said if we get anywhere in that neck of the woods, we're going to give it a big old whack." With the Panthers game, the Cowboys decided to push the limits of the feasible, proving yet again that in football, fortune favors the bold.
Fassel's comments provided further insight into his tactical mindset. "Yeah, he's got 70 in him, for sure," he said confidently. His faith in Aubrey's leg strength was evident, though he was also candid about the inherent challenges, specifically noting that "a seventy-yarder into the wind, that was different, and that was going to take extra." The conditions, alongside the execution, played a crucial role in these long attempts, pushing the team's strategic capabilities to the forefront. "If we get in that position again, I'm sure we'll attempt it again, taking the conditions into factor," Fassel added, confirming their commitment to innovation within the sport.
Despite the miss, Aubrey's effort did not go unexploited by the opposition; Deven Thompkins capitalized on the situation, running the ball back for an impressive 37 yards. This play served as a reminder of the high-risk, high-reward nature inherent in such ambitious field goal attempts. As Fassel noted, “The worst thing that could happen is they put a returner back there, and we have to cover.”
Looking forward, the Cowboys are set for the final stage of the season with key games scheduled at their home turf, AT&T Stadium, in Weeks 16 and 18. Interspersed is a much-anticipated Week 17 clash on away soil against their NFC East rivals, the Philadelphia Eagles. The upcoming fixtures are bound to be intense, as Aubrey and the Cowboys aim to cement their dominance and capitalize on the kicker's remarkable abilities.
In a season marked by extraordinary achievements and calculated gambles, Brandon Aubrey has proven himself to be more than just a kicker. He is a symbol of daring innovation and resilience for the Dallas Cowboys. As they head into the crucial final weeks, with McCarthy and Fassel's strategic visions leading the way, fans and analysts alike will be watching Aubrey's every kick, anticipating the exhilarating moments this All-Pro kicker is bound to deliver.