It was a tough Sunday for the New England Patriots as they struggled against the San Francisco 49ers, with very few highlights to speak of. However, one play stood out amid the adversity—a remarkable field goal by Joey Slye that will be remembered for a long time.
In a game where the Patriots found it hard to gain any momentum, Slye provided a rare moment of brilliance just before halftime. The Patriots decided to take an audacious gamble by sending Slye out to attempt a daunting 63-yard field goal, a distance that few kickers would feel comfortable tackling. But Slye delivered, drilling the 63-yard field goal and securing the Patriots' only points of the first half. His extraordinary effort was not only a brief morale boost for the Patriots, but also etched his name in the NFL record books.
The kick by Slye tied for the fourth-longest field goal in NFL history, a feat only surpassed by a few elite kickers. This remarkable kick was also the second-longest field goal made by any kicker since the start of the 2022 season. Earlier this season, Brandon Aubrey had set the bar high with a 65-yard field goal for the Dallas Cowboys. However, the ceiling for NFL field goals continues to be Justin Tucker’s awe-inspiring 66-yarder against the Detroit Lions in September 2021, a record that still stands strong.
Matt Prater, another legendary leg in NFL kicking history, holds the third-longest kick at 64 yards, which he accomplished in 2013. It's interesting to note the conditions surrounding these record-setting field goals. Tucker’s and Aubrey's long kicks were made indoors, a controlled environment that often aids in such extraordinary feats. Prater's field goal, on the other hand, took place in Denver—a city known for its high altitude and thin air, factors that can provide a slight advantage for long-distance kickers.
What makes Slye’s 63-yard field goal even more remarkable is the context: it was the longest outdoor field goal in the NFL since 2018, when Panthers kicker Graham Gano achieved a similar feat with a 63-yard kick to beat the Giants. Slye’s field goal was just the fourth in NFL history from 63 yards or longer that was executed outdoors, but not in the altitude-aided conditions of Denver.
Despite Slye’s heroics, the Patriots found themselves in a precarious position for the rest of the game and couldn’t turn around their fortunes in Week 4. It remains to be seen how the team will adjust in the coming weeks, but Slye’s kick will be a play for the highlight reels, offering a glimmer of promise and a testament to his skill and precision.
The Patriots may have had a tough outing against the 49ers, but Joey Slye gave them a moment of exceptionalism, one that showcased his capability to rise to the occasion and deliver under pressure. It’s these extraordinary moments that remind us of the unpredictable and compelling nature of football, where every week brings the possibility of history being made.