It was a challenging Sunday for the New England Patriots as they faced off against the San Francisco 49ers. The game offered few highlights for the Patriots' fans, with one notable exception.
In a rare moment of brilliance, kicker Joey Slye executed an impressive play that stood out amidst the team's struggles. Just before halftime, the Patriots decided to take a risk by sending Slye out for a daunting 63-yard field goal attempt. Demonstrating remarkable skill and precision, Slye successfully drilled the kick, securing the Patriots' sole points of the first half.
This remarkable kick didn’t just provide a fleeting moment of excitement for the Patriots; it also secured Slye’s place in the NFL history books. His 63-yard field goal tied for the fourth-longest in the league's history. The achievement is particularly noteworthy as it becomes the second-longest field goal made by any kicker since the start of the 2022 season.
Earlier this season, Brandon Aubrey set an incredible 65-yard field goal record for the Dallas Cowboys. Meanwhile, Justin Tucker continues to hold the all-time record with a 66-yard field goal against the Detroit Lions in September 2021.
The third-longest kick, a 64-yard field goal, belongs to Matt Prater. Prater accomplished this feat in 2013 while playing in Denver, a city known for its high altitude and thin air, which can aid in making longer field goals.
What makes Slye’s 63-yard field goal even more impressive is that it was the longest outdoor field goal in the NFL since 2018. That year, Panthers kicker Graham Gano also achieved a 63-yard kick to defeat the Giants.
Unlike Tucker’s and Aubrey's long kicks, which were made indoors, and Prater’s high altitude-assisted kick, Slye's field goal was executed outdoors under regular conditions. This distinction places Slye’s kick among the few 63-yard or longer field goals in NFL history made outdoors but not in Denver.
Despite Slye’s moment of heroism, the Patriots couldn't capitalize on this momentum to turn the game around. They continued to struggle throughout Week 4, hinting at challenges that the team will need to address in the coming weeks.
Yet, Joey Slye's performance shines as a testament to his exceptional skill and precision as a kicker. While the Patriots had an overall tough outing against the 49ers, Slye provided a moment of exceptionalism that fans and analysts alike will remember.