All articles tagged with #field goals
The San Francisco 49ers signed kicker Eddy Pineiro to a four-year, $17 million contract with $10 million guaranteed, keeping him in San Francisco after a strong 2025 season in which he went 28-for-29 on field goals (long of 59). Pineiro, 30, has previously played for the Raiders, Bears, Colts, Commanders, Jets and Panthers before joining the 49ers last year.
LeBron James, at 41 in his 23rd season, broke Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s record by making his 15,838th field goal to become the NBA’s all-time leader in field goals; he also stands as the NBA playoff points leader and is the only player with more than 50,000 career points combining regular season and postseason, with the most field-goal attempts in league history.
Booger McFarland criticized Sean Payton’s decision to go for it on 4th-and-1 at the Broncos’ 14 in the AFC Championship, arguing a 31-yard field goal would have extended the lead in worsening weather; he also questioned Sean McVay’s 4th-and-4 call at the Seahawks’ 6 late, suggesting a field goal would have put Seattle under pressure. The piece discusses the clash between analytics and in-game feel on Championship Sunday and suggests there’s validity to both coaches’ aggressive choices given the context.
In a notably unexciting NFL game, the Raiders narrowly defeated the Chiefs 14-12 with a late 60-yard field goal, featuring no touchdowns, multiple turnovers, and a safety, marking a low point in the 2025 season.
Cairo Santos was named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week after his performance in the Bears' win over the Packers, where he successfully kicked three field goals in gusty conditions and played a key role in the team's comeback, earning praise for his focus and skill under challenging weather.
The Dallas Cowboys rely heavily on kicker Brandon Aubrey for points, but this may lead to less aggressive playcalling, especially near the end zone, as critics debate whether the team should focus more on scoring touchdowns rather than settling for field goals, which could be risky given their struggles on defense.
Seahawks kicker Jason Myers set a franchise record with six field goals, including a 56-yard game-winner, leading to an 18-16 victory over the Colts. Myers' performance was crucial in a game marked by offensive struggles, and he now leads the NFL with 37 field goals this season, highlighting his importance to the team.
The NFL's use of specially prepared K-Balls has led to a significant increase in long-range field goals this season, with kickers now routinely making kicks from 55 yards or more, including a record 68-yard field goal, raising concerns about the fairness and safety of the game.
Week 9 of the NFL season featured thrilling games with multiple finishes, including a dramatic Bengals-Bears game, a Bills victory over the Chiefs, and record-breaking field goals, alongside significant injuries like Caleb Williams' dislocated elbow.
The article discusses key NFL Week 9 takeaways, highlighting the Buffalo Bills' improved team dynamics and strategic play, the San Francisco 49ers' resilience despite injuries, the Vikings' development under coach Kevin O’Connell, the Bears' offensive progress under Ben Johnson, and record-breaking field goals by Cam Little, alongside other notable NFL stories and team performances.
The NFL has revitalized its kicking game with new rules leading to longer field goals, more dynamic kickoffs, and increased action, significantly impacting game outcomes and strategies.
Brandon Aubrey was named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week after making crucial game-tying and winning field goals, including a 64-yarder and a 46-yarder in overtime, helping the Cowboys secure a 40-37 victory and setting NFL records for clutch kicks.
The Indianapolis Colts narrowly defeated the Denver Broncos 29-28 on September 14, 2025, with a last-second 45-yard field goal after a penalty on the Broncos. The game featured strong performances from Colts' quarterback Daniel Jones and running back Jonathan Taylor, and was notable for its high scoring and strategic play, despite both defenses being among the league's best last week.
The Los Angeles Rams defeated the San Francisco 49ers 12-6 in a rain-soaked game, relying on four field goals by Joshua Karty. The Rams improved to 8-6, moving closer to NFC West leaders Seattle, while the 49ers' playoff hopes dimmed. The game was marked by poor offensive performances, with neither team scoring a touchdown. The Rams secured their first series sweep against the 49ers since 2018, aided by a crucial interception by Darious Williams.
NFL kickers are achieving unprecedented success with long-distance field goals, hitting nearly 72% of attempts from 50 yards or more this season. This improvement is attributed to specialized coaching and better athletes choosing to become kickers. As a result, head coaches are increasingly relying on long field goals, changing game strategies. The NFL may consider rule changes to address this trend, such as narrowing goalposts. The current record for the longest field goal is 66 yards, set by Justin Tucker in 2021, but it may soon be broken.