Lions kicker Jake Bates calmly nailed the game-winning field goal in Minnesota with 15 seconds remaining to give Detroit a huge road win in Week 7. For his sterling effort, Bates was named the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week.
It’s the first time Bates has won the award. Then again, it’s just his sixth NFL game. The first-year kicker and former Michigan Panthers/UFL standout drained the 44-yarder under intense pressure and a hostile crowd for his only field goal of the game.
The honor comes one week after he was a perfect 9-for-9 on kicks, including four field goals and five extra points in Detroit’s Week 6 romp in Dallas.
Congrats to Bates!