In NFL history, long-range shots have always been a dramatic highlight, demonstrating incredible power and accuracy. Successfully executing a record-breaking long-range shot not only requires superior technique but also requires a strong will under great pressure. Such shots not only help the team change the game but also become an important milestone in the history of the tournament. Today, with Bestsoccertips.com, let’s learn about the top 10 longest NFL field goal players through the article below!
Top 10 longest NFL field goal players
Top 10: Greg Zuerlein, St. Louis Rams: 61 yards (2015)
Greg Zuerlein, known as “Greg the Leg” and “Legatron,” is one of the most impressive longest field goal in NFL history. After playing at Missouri Western, he was selected by the St. Louis Rams in the sixth round of the 2012 NFL Draft. In his rookie season, Zuerlein showed off his incredible kicking ability, becoming one of the few kickers to successfully complete a 60-yard field goal. He also made seven of his 13 attempts from 50 yards or more, cementing his place on the Rams’ roster and in the game’s ranks.
However, it wasn’t until the 2015 season that Zuerlein truly made his name on the list of longest kickers in history. On November 8, 2015, against the Minnesota Vikings, he successfully kicked a 61-yard field goal, one of the longest kicks ever recorded in the NFL. Although the St. Louis Rams lost 18-21 in overtime, Zuerlein’s outstanding performance still made him the player with the longest kick of the season. In addition to the 61-yard kick, 2015 also saw Zuerlein successfully kick three of nine kicks from 50 yards or more. With his consistent performance and ability to create breakthrough moments, Zuerlein has established himself as one of the top kickers in the NFL, contributing significantly to the success of his team.
Top 9: Justin Tucker, Baltimore Ravens: 61 yards (2013)
Justin Tucker, the legendary kicker of the Baltimore Ravens, created one of the most memorable moments in NFL history in 2013. In the game against the Detroit Lions, Tucker made a 61-yard kick with only 43 seconds left in the game, bringing a dramatic 18-16 victory to the Ravens. What’s more amazing is that all 18 points of the team in this game came from his accurate kicks, affirming Tucker’s irreplaceable role in the lineup.
Not only possessing absolute confidence, Tucker is also considered one of the kickers with the strongest legs in NFL history. Right from the early years of his career, he successfully made more than half of his kicks from distances over 50 yards. In particular, he also impressed with a successful kick from 75 yards in a practice session, showing incredible power and accuracy. With his consistency and ability to create decisive moments, Tucker has established himself as one of the greatest kickers of all time.
Top 8: Jay Feely, Arizona Cardinals: 61 yards (2012)
Jay Feely, one of the NFL’s most veteran kickers, had a memorable game in the 2012 season when the Arizona Cardinals faced the Buffalo Bills. Feely was in his 12th season, playing for his fifth team, and continued to demonstrate his reliable kicking ability. The game was played at the University of Phoenix Stadium with the roof closed, creating the ideal conditions for an impressive performance. With 1 minute and 9 seconds left, Feely hit a 61-yard field goal that tied the score at 16-16 and gave the home team hope of a comeback. It was one of the longest kicks of his career and cemented his place in team history.
However, the joy was short-lived. With the Cardinals having a chance to win late in the fourth quarter, Feely missed a 38-yard field goal, a distance considered safe for professional kickers. Although the kick was lightly touched by a Bills defender at the scrimmage line, it did not change the unfortunate outcome. The Cardinals later lost in overtime, turning Feely’s day from a moment of glory to a regret. Still, his performance left a lasting impression, demonstrating the harshness of the kicker position in the NFL. Feely’s 61-yard kick was not only one of the most impressive plays of the season, but also one of the most memorable moments in Cardinals history, demonstrating the brilliance and pressure that kickers face.
Top 7: Sebastian Janikowski, Oakland Raiders: 61 yards (2009)
Sebastian Janikowski, one of the greatest kickers in NFL history, made his mark with a 61-yard kick in 2009 while playing for the Oakland Raiders. Unlike many kickers, Janikowski achieved fame right from the start, in part because he was selected by the Raiders as the 17th overall pick in the first round of the 2000 NFL Draft—a rarity for a kicker. However, his early days were not as impressive, as he completed just two of his six attempts of 50 yards or more in his first two seasons.
Over time, though, Janikowski began to show his class. On December 27, 2009, he took the field against the Cleveland Browns and completed all three of his attempts, including a stunning 61-yarder. Although the Raiders lost 23-9, the kick marked a turning point in Janikowski’s career, showing his potential for long-range kicking. It was also just the beginning of a series of memorable plays that would go on to cement his reputation as one of the most powerful kickers in NFL history.
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Top 6: Matt Bryant, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 62 yards (2006)
Matt Bryant, one of the NFL’s most consistent kickers, made his mark with a 62-yard kick in 2006 for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Unlike Sebastian Janikowski, who was selected in the first round of the draft, Bryant was not an early star. He entered the league in 2002 with the New York Giants and took five seasons, with four different teams, to make his name. However, it was the Tampa Bay Buccaneers that helped him make history.
On October 22, 2006, against the Philadelphia Eagles at Raymond James Stadium, Bryant stepped up to kick a field goal in the final seconds of the game with his team trailing 21-20. He made a powerful and accurate 62-yard kick, helping the Buccaneers come back to win 23-21. It was not only one of the longest kicks in NFL history, but also one of the most memorable moments of Bryant’s career. Although he never made another kick of 60 yards or more, the 2006 strike was enough to make him a history book.
Top 5: David Akers, San Francisco 49ers: 63 yards (2012)
David Akers made history in 2012 when he made a 63-yard kick for the San Francisco 49ers. Interestingly, six years ago, he watched Matt Bryant score a 62-yard field goal against his former team, the Philadelphia Eagles. But this time, Akers had a chance to create his own moment of greatness, taking a late first-half kick at Lambeau Field—one of the toughest places for kickers to play.
Akers’ powerful shot sent the ball flying toward the goal, hitting the crossbar and into the net, giving the 49ers a win over the Green Bay Packers. After the game, he admitted it was a rare play: “When the ball hits the crossbar, it usually bounces out, but this time, it went in. It was a once-in-a-lifetime moment.” The goal not only put him in the record books, but was also the highlight of his 16-year career before retiring in 2013.
Top 4: Sebastian Janikowski, Oakland Raiders: 63 yards (2011)
Sebastian Janikowski continued to make NFL history when he broke his own record in 2011 with a 63-yard kick. Two years after his 61-yard kick, the Oakland Raiders kicker became the first player since 1998 to successfully hit a kick from that historic distance. The goal came in the second quarter of the AFC West game between the Raiders and the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High, with five seconds remaining before halftime. Despite a chaotic game that included 16 penalties, Janikowski helped the Raiders extend their lead to 16-3 heading into the second quarter.
Despite his historic performance, Janikowski wasn’t entirely satisfied with his kick. “To be honest, I didn’t hit it very well,” he admitted. “It barely cleared the crossbar.” The comment reflects the perfectionism of a legend who not only appears twice on the list of longest kicks in history, but also symbolizes the strength and endurance of NFL kickers.
Top 3: Jason Elam, Denver Broncos: 63 yards (1998)
Jason Elam of the Denver Broncos set the 63-yard record in 1998, a mark that would not be surpassed for more than a decade. In late October of that year, against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Elam hit a 63-yard field goal before halftime, giving the Broncos a 27-10 lead and a 37-24 win. Before that kick, 60-yard field goals had seemed unthinkable, with only a handful of them occurring since the 1980s.
Elam said he knew from the moment the kick left his foot that it would set the record: “I was as excited as I could be. I knew before the kick that it would tie the record, and I made sure to mark it right where I was.” Still, he felt a little nervous as the kick flew under the stadium lights, but in the end, Elam’s confidence and skill cemented his place in history. Only three players have accomplished the feat since, and only one player has surpassed Elam’s record.
Top 2: Tom Dempsey, New Orleans Saints: 63 yards (1970)
Tom Dempsey of the New Orleans Saints was the first player in NFL history to successfully hit a 63-yard field goal, a record that stood for more than 40 years. In 1970, with the Saints trailing 17-16 to the Detroit Lions, the coaching staff could have opted for a lucky throw. Instead, they put their faith in Dempsey—a decision that would go down in history.
Dempsey was born without toes on his right foot, but that didn’t stop him from making a powerful kick. Kicker Joe Scarpati described the kick as “a cannonball, solid and powerful.” In an outdoor stadium without the benefit of the thin air in Denver, Dempsey created a legendary moment. Although he later kicked further, Dempsey’s goal is still considered one of the greatest moments in NFL history.
Top 1: Matt Prater, Denver Broncos: 64 yards (2013)11 of 11
Matt Prater made NFL history on December 8, 2013, when he successfully made a 64-yard field goal during a game between the Denver Broncos and the Tennessee Titans at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The conditions were not favorable, as the weather was cold with temperatures near freezing. Prater, however, still managed to hit the kick with incredible accuracy just before halftime, helping the Broncos close the gap on the Titans and providing a huge boost to their 51-28 comeback win. The kick shattered the previous record of 63 yards, which was shared by legends like Tom Dempsey, Jason Elam, Sebastian Janikowski and David Akers, making Prater the longest kicker in NFL history at the time.
Before his feat, Prater had already built a reputation as one of the league’s most powerful kickers. Throughout his first decade in the NFL, he had a high success rate on kicks from 50 yards or more, making him a formidable weapon for the Broncos. After the historic kick, he told ESPN: “It was a great moment; I’m glad it won. It was crazy to see the whole team rush the field after that kick. It was definitely a momentum changer.” Although Prater’s record was later broken by Justin Tucker in 2021 with a 66-yard kick, he is still remembered as one of the greatest kickers in league history.
In Summary
The longest NFL field goal players above are not only a testament to their superb skills but also affirm the importance of free kicks in football. Each time a record is set, it not only creates a memorable moment but also inspires the next generation of players, continuing to push the limits of this sport. Thank you for following our article!
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