Brandon Aubrey taking aim at two NFL records on Sunday

What a difference a year makes.

In January 2023, the Dallas Cowboys kicking game was on red alert. Brett Maher imploded in a wild card playoff game win over Tampa Bay.

Maher missed four of his five extra-point attempts in the 31-14 victory.

The misfires prompted a pre-game pep talk from Jerry Jones the next week in San Francisco.

Maher promptly shanked his first point after trying so badly that it was easily blocked. He did make two field goals in the game, however.

Still, the Cowboys' confidence in Maher was shot and he was let go.

As the 2023 season winds down in January 2024, the kicking game is the least of Dallas' worries.

Despite some shaky kicks during training camp at Oxnard, Brandon Aubrey has been rock solid. The rookie already owns an NFL record.

On Sunday, Aubrey will have a legitimate chance to set two more.

Record Holding Rookie

Aubrey already broke the record for most kicks to begin an NFL career.

On Nov. 5^th, at Philadelphia, Aubrey nailed a 51-yard attempt to give Dallas a 17-14 halftime lead.

It was his 19^th-made field goal in 19 attempts. It also broke Travis Coons (2015) record of 18 to start a career as the Browns' kicker.

Aubrey has added 16 more successful kicks to his record since.

He has made nine from inside 30 yards, 13 from 30-39 yards, four from 40-49 yards, and nine from 50 and beyond.

His longest field goal is 60 yards. It came against the Eagles at AT&T Stadium in a 33-31 win on Dec. 10^th.

It was also on a night when he made three other field goals of 45, 50, and 59 yards.

Records In Sight

In 2003, while kicking for the Colts, Mike Vanderjagt — a former Cowboys' kicker — set the NFL record for most field goals made in a single season without a miss at 37.

In 2017, Harrison Butker was the Chiefs' rookie kicker. He holds the record for most field goals made in a single season by a rookie with 38.

Butker missed four kicks that year.

Aubrey needs to hit on three kicks without a miss to break Vanderjagt's mark and tie Butker's. A fourth make without missing would give Aubrey three NFL records.

Not bad for a rookie and welcome news to Dallas after years of kicking woes.

The Impossible Dream

There is one mark that seems far out of reach for Aubrey this season.

He would need nine field goals on Sunday to match, and 10 to exceed, David Akers' record for most made field goals in a single season.

Akers was the 49ers' kicker in 2011. He made 44 field goals that year – four more than Daniel Carlson in 2021 and Neil Rackers in 2005.

It is highly unlikely Aubrey would have that many chances in the season finale.

The NFL record for most field goals made in a single game is eight, held by Titans' kicker Rob Bironas in 2007.

Cowboys Kicking Records

The Cowboys record for field goals made in a single game is seven, held by Chris Boniol (1996) and Billy Cundiff (2003)

Aubrey is the current Cowboys' leader for field goals made in a single season as well as field goals made without a miss.

Richie Cunningham (1997) and Greg Zuerlein (2020) both made 34 in a single year. Cunningham was 34-for-37 while Zuerlein was 34-for-41.

Dan Bailey is the Cowboys' all-time leader in made field goals at 186. Aubrey is currently 16^th for Dallas all-time.

He trails Roger Ruzek (39) and Time Seder (36) as possible players to pass on the list on Sunday.

Aubrey could become the first Cowboys' kicker to finish at 100% in field goals for a season. Dan Bailey hit 93.8% of his field goals (30-for-32) in 2015.

NFL All-Time Field Goals Made Single Season

Based on information gathered from Pro Football Reference.

• Player  FGM   Year    Tm
• 1st      
• David Akers    44        2011    SFO
• t-2nd  
• Daniel Carlson            40        2021    LVR
• Neil Rackers   40        2005    ARI
• t-4th   
• Robbie Gould 39        2017    SFO
• Olindo Mare    39        1999    MIA
• Jeff Wilkins     39        2003    STL
• t-7th   
• Harrison Butker          38        2017    KAN
• Stephen Gostkowski   38        2013    NWE
• Justin Tucker (2)         38        2013/2016       BAL
• Greg Zuerlein  38        2017    LAR
• t-12th 
• Ka'imi Fairbairn          37        2018    HOU
• Stephen Gostkowski   37        2017    NWE
• John Kasay      37        1996    CAR
• Younghoe Koo           37        2020    ATL
• Justin Tucker   37        2022    BAL
• Mike Vanderjagt         37        2003    IND
• t-18th 
• Cary Blanchard           36        1996    IND
• Chris Boswell 36        2021    PIT
• Al Del Greco   36        1998    TEN
• Nick Folk        36        2021    NWE
• Stephen Gostkowski   36        2008    NWE
• Jason Sanders 36        2020    MIA
• t-24th 
• Gary Anderson           35        1998    MIN
• Brandon Aubrey         35        2023    DAL
• Rob Bironas    35        2007    TEN
• Chris Boswell 35        2017    PIT
• John Carney    35        2008    NYG
• Jay Feely         35        2005    NYG
• Stephen Gostkowski   35        2014    NWE
• Ali Haji-Sheikh           35        1983    NYG
• Jeff Jaeger       35        1993    RAI
• Nick Novak     35        2016    HOU
• Matt Stover     35        2000    BAL
• Caleb Sturgis   35        2016    PHI
• Ryan Succop   35        2017    TEN
• Justin Tucker (2)         35        2018/2021       BAL
• Adam Vinatieri           35        2013    IND
• Blair Walsh     35        2012    MIN