Patriots Make History with 63-Yard FG Attempt in AFC Championship Showdown
The New England Patriots made headlines on Sunday by tying an NFL playoff record during the AFC Championship Game against the Denver Broncos. With just one second remaining in the second quarter, coach Mike Vrabel faced a pivotal decision at the Denver 45-yard line: a Hail Mary pass from Drake Maye or a long field goal attempt by Andres Borregales. Vrabel opted for the latter, sending Borregales out for a 63-yard field goal, which tied the record for the longest field goal attempt in NFL playoff history. Before this game, only two attempts of 60 yards or longer had been made in postseason play, both of which were unsuccessful: Greg Zuerlein attempted a 63-yarder against the Dallas Cowboys in the 2018 divisional round (missed). Mike Cofer attempted a 60-yarder against the Minnesota Vikings in the 1989 divisional round (missed). While Borregales had a chance to set a new record, his kick veered wide left. The rookie kicker, selected in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, had previously enjoyed a successful regular season, going 4 of 4 on kicks of 50 yards or longer. Kicking in Denver, known for its altitude, made the long attempt more plausible, as three of the 16 field goals of 63 yards or longer in NFL history have occurred there. Despite the increasing frequency of 60-yard field goals in the regular season, none have yet been successful in the playoffs. The longest successful postseason kick remains 58 yards, achieved by Pete Stoyanovich in a 1990 wild card game against the Kansas City Chiefs, and later matched by Graham Gano in a 2019 wild card loss to the New Orleans Saints.
Source: CBS Sports - 2026-01-25