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Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey's perfect season ended on a block. Then he missed for real.
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- Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey's perfect season ended on a block. Then he missed for real.
If the NFL handed out grades for rookies, Dallas Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey would still get an A.
But he's no longer perfect.
Aubrey had his perfect first-year campaign snapped in the regular-season finale against the Washington Commanders when rookie Joshua Pryor broke through the Cowboys' protection unblocked and rejected Aubrey's 32-yard attempt. Jace Whittaker scooped the ball and returned it 51 yards deep into Dallas territory.
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Aubrey had made all 35 of his field goals until the block. He's still perfect (10-of-10) on kicks of 50 yards or more. Aubrey secured the rookie record for most consecutive field goals made to start a career (19) during a Week 9 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles when he drilled a 51-yarder.
Dallas Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey, shown here on Dec. 17, 2023, had not missed a field goal all season until Sunday's regular-season finale against the Washington Commanders.
His first true miss of the season came with 8:57 left in the fourth quarter. Aubrey hit the left upright on a 36-yard attempt. He rebounded with a 50-yard field goal later in the frame.
Aubrey entered the Commanders game with three missed extra points – none costly. He was also a weapon in the kickoff game, booting touchbacks on all but seven of his kickoffs.
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The former Notre Dame men's soccer player who was a first-round pick by Toronto FC in the 2017 MLS Draft, Aubrey began kicking in professional football two years ago for the USFL (which recently merged with the XFL to form the UFL ). Aubrey won back-to-back championships with the Birmingham Stallions before the Cowboys signed him a training camp invitee.
Aubrey won the kicking battle against Tristan Vizcaino during the summer and Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy displayed confidence in the 28-year-old throughout the season. A Dallas-area native, Aubrey rewarded his coach and teammates with a historic performance.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey misses field goals, perfect season ends
