The Dallas Cowboys pulled off the win against the Washington Commanders in Week 18, stamping them as the No. 2 seed in the NFC this postseason.
Still, it wasn’t without some mishaps — most notably from the special-teams unit. Kicker Brandon Aubrey missed two field-goal attempts during the regular-season finale.
The End of a Historic Hot Streak
After having a perfect 35 for 35 field-goal attempts this season, Aubrey’s streak ended. One was a blocked field goal, while the other was a missed 36-yard attempt in the fourth quarter.
Ironically enough, Aubrey was two field goals away from breaking the NFL record for the most made without a miss in a single season at 37. Now, he sits tied in second for that record, which, as a rookie, is still impressive.
Nevertheless, Aubrey finished the regular season with the most NFL field goals made and a field-goal percentage of 94.7.
Coaches’ Belief in Brandon Aubrey
After a historic rookie season, Aubrey has earned the faith he has built within the coaching staff despite the two misses.
Head coach Mike McCarthy said it was important for him to give Aubrey another chance to score a field goal in this game, which he did in the fourth quarter with a 50-yard try.
“The only thing that really comes out of it is we all now realize Brandon is human, and the human thing to do was to give him another trip to the plate. And so I was glad we were able to get that opportunity for him,” said McCarthy.
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As for the Cowboys’ special teams coordinator, John Fassel said the blocked field goal came from a “nice rush” from the Commanders. He added, “There’s a lot of clean up to do on field goal protection for sure.”
Fassel said the missed field-goal attempt was a product of Aubrey mishitting the ball and that wind was not a factor.
A Feeling of Déjà Vu?
Aubrey’s missed field goals before the postseason felt like déjà vu for many after the Cowboys’ kicking struggles with Brett Maher last year in the playoffs — but not for Fassel.
“I didn’t think about it until you brought it up, really,” Fassel said. “I just think the feeling with Brandon is, I don’t ever feel mentally that he ever goes there.”
Last year, Maher’s misses were a product of the “yips,” something that Fassel doesn’t think is an issue for Aubrey. Although Aubrey had an impressive streak, it was never about keeping it going for him or Fassel. Their approach was to make every kick for the sake of winning.
Overall, the coaching staff has believed in Aubrey since his tenure started, and that hasn’t changed because of Sunday’s two missed kicks.
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