In the history of the National Football League (NFL), kickers have made incredible field goals from very long distances. Fans love watching kickers boom 50+ yard field goals right through the uprights. But who has kicked the longest field goal ever in an NFL game? Let’s take a look at some of the longest field goals and the kickers who made NFL history.
What is considered a long field goal?
First, what counts as a “long” field goal? In general, kicks over 50 yards are considered long field goals. The average NFL kicker can reliably hit field goals from under 45 yards. But once you move beyond 50+ yards, the kicks get considerably harder.
Weather conditions like wind and rain make long kicks more challenging. The distance also means the ball’s trajectory is higher, allowing more time for the wind to impact the flight. For most kickers, their range tops out around 55 yards in ideal conditions.
So field goals of 60+ yards are exceptionally long kicks. Hitting from 60 yards and beyond requires tremendous leg strength and accuracy. The long-range shots often clear the crossbar by just a foot or two. Let’s look at some of the incredible long-range field goals made in NFL history.
Longest field goal ever
What is the longest converted field goal in an NFL game? Here are the longest makes in NFL history:
| Distance | Kicker | Date | Details |
| 66 yards | Matt Prater | December 8, 2013 | Denver Broncos vs Tennessee Titans |
| 64 yards | Matt Prater | December 8, 2013 | Denver Broncos vs Tennessee Titans |
| 63 yards | Tom Dempsey | November 8, 1970 | New Orleans Saints vs Detroit Lions |
| 63 yards | Jason Elam | October 25, 1998 | Denver Broncos vs Jacksonville Jaguars |
| 63 yards | Sebastian Janikowski | September 12, 2011 | Oakland Raiders vs Denver Broncos |
| 63 yards | David Akers | September 9, 2012 | San Francisco 49ers vs Green Bay Packers |
| 63 yards | Graham Gano | November 26, 2018 | Carolina Panthers vs Seattle Seahawks |
As the table shows, the current record for the longest NFL field goal belongs to Matt Prater. In 2013, Prater made an incredible kick for 64 yards. Later in that same game, he topped it by nailing a 66-yard attempt.
Matt Prater’s record kick
Matt Prater’s 66-yard field goal is considered the NFL’s longest. He set the record on December 8, 2013 as a member of the Denver Broncos. The record-setting kick came against the Tennessee Titans.
Late in the first half, the Broncos were trailing the Titans 21-10. With the first half nearly over, the Broncos had the ball at Tennessee’s 46 yard line. There was only enough time left for one final play before halftime.
Rather than attempt a Hail Mary pass, the Broncos sent out Prater to try the long field goal. The elevation in Denver helps kickers reach longer distances. Prater also had the leg strength and accuracy to make the long attempt possible.
As Prater lined up for the record-breaking 66-yard try, the crowd at Sports Authority Field held its breath. Prater struck the ball cleanly. It sailed through the thin Colorado air and just barely cleared the crossbar as time expired. The stadium erupted in cheers as Prater set the NFL record.
Prater later said the thin air in Denver does help kickers reach longer distances. But even accounting for the high altitude, his 66-yard kick was an incredible feat. The previous record holder, Tom Dempsey, made his 63-yarder in 1970 in New Orleans – much closer to sea level.
Other long kicks
While Prater holds the record, several other kickers have made 63-yard field goals. As the table showed, Tom Dempsey was the first to hit from 63 yards in 1970. At the time, it bested the previous NFL record by 7 yards. Jason Elam, Sebastian Janikowski, David Akers, and Graham Gano have also converted 63-yard kicks.
Elam’s 1998 kick came in the final seconds, tying the game against Jacksonville to force overtime. Janikowski’s 63-yarder also came on the last play, giving Oakland a dramatic season-opening win over Denver in 2011. Akers’ tieed the record in memorable fashion, bouncing the ball off the crossbar for the 49ers in 2012.
Longest attempts
While Prater and others have successfully converted super long kicks, some other attempts have fallen just short:
| Distance | Kicker | Date | Details |
| 68 yards | Joe Williams | December 21, 1975 | Missed, Dallas Cowboys vs Washington |
| 67 yards | Justin Tucker | December 12, 2021 | Missed, Baltimore Ravens vs Cleveland Browns |
| 65 yards | John Kasay | October 30, 2011 | Missed, Carolina Panthers vs Minnesota Vikings |
Joe Williams attempted an NFL record 68-yard try for the Cowboys against Washington in 1975, but was well short. In 2021, star kicker Justin Tucker nearly broke the record with a 67-yard attempt in Cleveland. But his kick landed just in front of the crossbar, bouncing away unsuccessfully.
Longest field goals by stadium
Interestingly, many of the longest kicks in NFL history have come from specific stadiums. Let’s look at the longest makes from some top stadiums:
| Stadium | Kick | Kicker | Date |
| Sports Authority Field | 66 yards | Matt Prater | December 8, 2013 |
| Tulane Stadium | 63 yards | Tom Dempsey | November 8, 1970 |
| Mile High Stadium | 63 yards | Jason Elam | October 25, 1998 |
| O.co Coliseum | 63 yards | Sebastian Janikowski | September 12, 2011 |
| Lambeau Field | 63 yards | Mason Crosby | October 7, 2018 |
Sports Authority Field in Denver has hosted three of the longest kicks, thanks to the high altitude. The old Mile High Stadium saw Jason Elam’s 63-yarder. And the 63-yarders by Tom Dempsey and Sebastian Janikowski came in the Superdome and Oakland Coliseum respectively.
Shorter field goals
While super long field goals grab headlines, shorter kicks under 40 yards are usually easier for NFL kickers. However, even shorter field goals can present challenges in certain situations. And history has seen some notable short misses:
- In 1989, Cowboys kicker Luis Zendejas missed a 29-yard attempt that would have defeated the 49ers.
- In 1991, Bills kicker Scott Norwood missed a 47-yard kick at the end of Super Bowl XXV, allowing the Giants to win.
- In 2015, Vikings kicker Blair Walsh missed a 27-yarder late against Seattle, eliminating Minnesota from the playoffs.
So while short field goals are expected makes for pros, pressure situations can lead to costly shanks. Coaches usually prefer attempting longer kicks over 40 yards compared to very short high-pressure kicks.
Conclusion
Matt Prater owns one of the most impressive records in NFL history with his 66-yard converted kick in 2013. Only a few other kickers have reached the 63-yard mark over the decades. While Prater’s record may be hard to top, constant improvement from kickers and special ball technology could see 70-yard attempts in the future.
But until that happens, Matt Prater remains the king of the long kick. His booming 66-yard field goal stands as the longest ever made in an NFL game.