What Is The Longest Field Goal In The NFL?
The longest field goal in NFL history is 64 yards, a record that has been held by Tom Dempsey, Jason Elam, and Sebastian Janikowski.
The Current Record
The current record for the longest field goal in the NFL is 64 yards, set by Matt Prater of the Denver Broncos in 2013. The previous record was 63 yards, set by Tom Dempsey of the New Orleans Saints in 1970.
The Previous Record
In 2013, Denver Broncos placekicker Matt Prater set the NFL record for the longest field goal.
The previous record had been 63 yards, set by Tom Dempsey of the New Orleans Saints in 1970.
The New Record
In 2013, the NFL implemented new rules designed to increase scoring. One of those rules was to move the kickoff point back to the 35-yard line, which essentially turned touchbacks into automatic field position for the offense at the 25.
In order for a kick to be considered a touchback, it must be caught in the air and land in the end zone or be touched by a member of the receiving team down in the end zone. If the ball is touched by a member of the kicking team in the end zone, it is considered a safety.
The new rule had an immediate and profound effect on special teams play. In 2012, there were 1,267 kickoffs and only 253 were returned for touchdowns (a rate of 20%). In 2013, there were 1,267 kickoffs with only 82 returned for touchdowns (a rate of 6.5%). That’s a drastic decrease in returns, and it’s why you don’t see as many big returners in today’s game as you did in years past.
However, one thing that hasn’t changed is that touchbacks are still worth two points if they occur on extra point attempts or two-point conversion attempts. In 2018, there have been seven touchbacks on extra point attempts and two on two-point conversion attempts. So far this season, there have been no reported cases of a touchback on a field goal attempt.
The Record Holder
The record holder for the longest field goal in NFL history is Morten Andersen, who kicked a 62-yard field goal for the New Orleans Saints in 1998. The kick was successful, and it helped the Saints win the game against the Chicago Bears.
