It's hard enough to hit an average field goal in the NFL. Between the immense noise from the crowd and the group of monstrous men coming after you, it's fair from easy for an NFL kicker.
So whenever a field goal specialist trots onto the field and sinks an attempt from longer than 60 yards, it sends plenty of jaws to the floor.
Life as a kicker in the NFL is full of highs and lows. There are plenty of times when they come through in the clutch, giving a team the necessary three points to leapfrog an opponent en route to a victory. Some are easy chip shots, but others require not only accuracy, but power as well.
There are plenty of elite members in that category, including current kickers such as Justin Tucker and Brandon Aubrey. But who holds the record of the longest field goal?
SN's NFL HQ: Live NFL scores | Updated NFL standings | Full NFL schedule
The Sporting News takes a look at the longest field goals in NFL history.
What is the NFL record for longest field goal?
Bates' 64-yard field goal make wouldn't be the longest in NFL history. That mark belongs to Justin Tucker, who made a 66-yard kick in 2021 against the Lions to earn the Ravens a last-second win.
That said, that is the only kick longer than Bates' to be made during an NFL game. The previous record before Tucker's boot belonged to Matt Prater, who made a 64-yard field goal against the Titans in 2013 while playing for the Broncos.
That broke a 43-year-old record belonging to Tom Dempsey, who made a 63-yard field goal in November 1970.
Longest field goals in NFL history
Below is a look at the longest kicks in NFL history after Tucker.
| Rank | Player | Team | Year | Distance |
| 1 | Justin Tucker | Ravens | 2021 | 66 |
| 2 | Brandon Aubrey | Cowboys | 2024 | 65 |
| 3 | Matt Prater | Broncos | 2013 | 64 |
| 4 | Brett Maher | Cowboys | 2019 | 63 |
| Sebastian Janikowski | Raiders | 2011 | 63 | |
| Graham Gano | Panthers | 2018 | 63 | |
| Jason Elam | Broncos | 1998 | 63 | |
| Tom Dempsey | Saints | 1970 | 63 | |
| David Akers | 49ers | 2012 | 63 | |
| 9 | Matt Prater | Cardinals | 2023 | 62 |
| Harrison Butker | Chiefs | 2022 | 62 | |
| Matt Prater | Cardinals | 2021 | 62 | |
| Brett Maher | Cowboys | 2019 | 62 | |
| Brett Maher | Cowboys | 2018 | 62 | |
| Stephen Gostkowski | Patriots | 2017 | 62 | |
| Matt Bryant | Buccaneers | 2006 | 62 |
Justin Tucker
In 2021, Tucker made the Detroit faithful watch history unfold right in front of their eyes. The Ravens kicker launched a 66-yard field goal in a last-second attempt to win the game for Baltimore. His attempt split the uprights, lifting the Ravens to a 19-17 win in improbable fashion.
Brandon Aubrey
Aubrey got off to a hot start in 2024 when he came a yard short of tying Tucker's record. The Dallas kicker booted a 65-yard attempt against the Ravens in Week 3, leaving Tom Brady in awe at his range.
MORE: Week 4 NFL Power Rankings | Week 4 NFL picks | Week 4 NFL picks against the spread
Matt Prater
Prater held the record for eight years after nailing a 64-yard attempt against the Titans in December 2013. The powerful leg of the Broncos sank an attempt to end the first half in style.
Brett Maher
Maher is one of six kickers to nail a 63-yard attempt in a game. He did so in 2019, beating his own career-high of 62, which he did twice.
Sebastian Janikowski
Janikowski was known for his powerful left leg during his NFL reign, and he was one of those kickers to hit it 63 yards out. He nailed an attempt for the Raiders during a "Monday Night Football" contest in 2011 against the Broncos.
Graham Gano
When the Panthers needed Gano the most, he came through. In the final seconds of a 2018 game against the Giants, he successfully hit a 63-yard field goal to stun Big Blue.
What is the longest field goal ever attempted?
Janikowski is not only tied for No. 3 on the all-time list, but he also owns another field goal record. In 2008, the lefty gave it his best at a record 76-yard field goal attempt, two yards longer than Mark Moseley's 74-yard attempt for Washington in 1979.
How many missed NFL record field goal attempts?
In total, there have been 17 missed field goal attempts that, had they been made, it would have broken the record set by Tucker.
| Rank | Player | Team | Year | Distance |
| 1. | Sebastian Janikowski | Raiders | 2008 | 76 |
| 2. | Mark Moseley | Redskins | 1979 | 74 |
| 3. | Fred Steinfort | Broncos | 1980 | 73 |
| 4. | Joe Danelo | Giants | 1979 | 71 |
| Phil Dawson | 49ers | 2013 | 71 | |
| 6. | Mark Moseley | Redskins | 1979 | 70 |
| Brandon McManus | Broncos | 2021 | 70 | |
| 8. | Mason Crosby | Packers | 2008 | 69 |
| 9. | John Hall | Jets | 1997 | 68 |
| Neil Rackers | Cardinals | 2008 | 68 | |
| Blair Walsh | Vikings | 2014 | 68 | |
| Matt Prater | Cardinals | 2021 | 68 |