Who Holds The NFL Field Goal Record?
Did you know that the NFL field goal record is held by Matt Prater? Read on to learn more about this amazing kicker and his record-breaking field goals!
NFL Field Goal Records
The NFL field goal record is currently held by Matt Prater of the Denver Broncos. Prater set the record on December 8, 2013, when he connected on a 64-yard field goal against the Tennessee Titans. The previous record was 63 yards, which was set by former New Orleans Saints kicker Tom Dempsey in 1970.
Most Field Goals in a Season
enver Broncos placekicker Matt Prater set an NFL record for the most field goals in a season, nailing 25 in 2013.
Prater’s record-breaking year helped earn him a Pro Bowl berth, as well as First-team All-Pro honors. The previous record of 24 field goals in a season was shared by four different kickers.
Many experts believe that the reason we are seeing more field goals attempted and made is because teams are relying more on the kicking game to win games. With the increased emphasis on special teams, we are seeing more dedicated specialists and better training methods, which has resulted in more successful field goal attempts.
Most Field Goals in a Game
The record for the most field goals in a game is held by 5 different players, all of whom made 6 field goals in a game. The first player to do so was Bert Rechichar of the Baltimore Colts, who accomplished the feat in a win against the Chicago Bears on November 16, 1952. The most recent player to tie the record was Zane Gonzalez of the Arizona Cardinals, who made 6 field goals in a win against the Seattle Seahawks on September 29, 2019.
Most Field Goals in a Career
The most field goals in a career is held by Morten Andersen with 565. He played for 25 seasons from 1982 to 2007 for four teams: the New Orleans Saints, Atlanta Falcons, New York Giants, and Kansas City Chiefs.
Andersen is the only player in NFL history to score more than 500 career field goals. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2017.
The Holders of the Records
In 1965, Jason Elam of the Denver Broncos set the record for the longest field goal in NFL history. The kick was 63 yards and was caught by tight end Shannon Sharpe. In 1998, Morten Andersen of the Atlanta Falcons kicked a 62-yard field goal. The kick was caught by wide receiver Terance Mathis.
Most Field Goals in a Season
The most field goals in a season is 45, set by David Akers in 2011.
Most Field Goals in a Game
The record for most field goals in an NFL game is 7, set by both Jim Bakken and Tony Zendeli. The record for most field goals in a half is 6, set by Cartoon Network’s “Robbie the Kicker” in 2006.
Most Field Goals in a Career
The most field goals in a career is held by Adam Vinatieri of the Indianapolis Colts, who as of 2021 has made 599 field goals over his 25-year career.
Why These Records Matter
Field goal records in the NFL are a big deal. This is because the field goal is one of the most important plays in football. It can change the entire outcome of a game. There are a few different field goal records that are important to know.
Most Field Goals in a Season
In 1978, placekicker Bob Gualtieri set the record for the most field goals in a season, with 37. That record would stand for 22 years, until it was broken by Morten Andersen in 2000. Andersen made 39 field goals that year, and he still holds the record today.
Gualtieri’s 37 field goals in 1978 are also the second-most ever kicked in a season. The only kicker with more is LaDanian Tomlinson, who had 39 in 2003.
Most Field Goals in a Game
In 1998, Jacksonville Jaguars’ kicker Mike Hollis made nine field goals in a game against the Cincinnati Bengals. This record has since been equaled by five other players, but never surpassed.
Most Field Goals in a Career
Morten Andersen holds the NFL record for the most field goals made in a career. In his 25 seasons in the league, he tallied 565 field goals. He played for six different teams during his time in the NFL, most notably the New Orleans Saints and the Atlanta Falcons.
Gary Anderson is second on the list with 538 made field goals. Anderson played for five teams during his career, but he is most well-known for his time with the Minnesota Vikings.
Matt Stover rounds out the top three with 428 field goals made. Stover played for three teams during his career, but he spent the majority of his time with the Baltimore Ravens.
