Brandon Aubrey has shone brightly for the Cowboys this season, boasting a flawless 21-for-21 record on field goals, including four successful attempts from beyond the 50-yard mark. In the recent 33-10 victory over the Panthers, Aubrey not only contributed to the win but also etched his name in the NFL record books by setting the record for the most consecutive made field goals to start an NFL career.
While Aubrey’s impeccable performance is undeniably impressive, it’s a missed extra point in the same game that has become the focal point heading into Week 12. This deviation from perfection, Aubrey’s first in ten weeks, presents a public test of his resiliency and fortitude.
Cowboys rookie kicker Brandon Aubrey extends NFL-record streak. He is the first player in league history to make the first 20 field-goal attempts of his career. Good from 30 yards. Dallas leads 10-0 in Carolina.
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) November 19, 2023
The significance of a missed extra point is not lost on Cowboys fans, as it was a similar occurrence less than a year ago that spelled trouble for the team’s former placekicker, Brett Maher. In 2022, Maher, like Aubrey, had faced skepticism early in the season but gradually won over supporters with a series of accurate and powerful kicks, even leading the league in touchbacks and showcasing proficiency beyond the 50-yard mark.
However, Maher’s trajectory took a downward turn after a routine missed extra point in Week 18. Despite an initially dismissive attitude toward the miss, Maher struggled mentally, eventually missing five of the next six attempts. The ordeal underscored the critical trait of an NFL placekicker: mental resiliency.
Brandon Aubrey missed the PAT. It's fine. Dallas leads 30-10 and this one is over.
— Calvin Watkins (@calvinwatkins) November 19, 2023
Aubrey, having missed an extra point but rebounded with a successful field goal in the same game, faces a psychological challenge akin to Maher’s struggles. The short week leading up to the Cowboys’ Thursday game provides Aubrey with little time for reflection, potentially working in his favor.
While Aubrey’s stellar field goal record remains intact, the threat of self-doubt looms. Maher’s experience serves as a cautionary tale, emphasizing the mental aspect that can make or break a kicker’s success in the NFL.
As soccer globally produces numerous physically capable individuals who could transition to NFL kicking, Aubrey’s true test lies in his mental resilience. While it might seem like making a big deal out of a single miss, last year’s events with Maher suggest the potential gravity of such situations. Week 12 is a pivotal moment for Aubrey, and how he responds will truly test his mettle.