Jake Bates calmly drills game-winning FG for Detroit Lions vs. Chiefs in preseason
Jake Bates may have just solidified an NFL kicking job.
Bates, the Detroit Lions lone kicker on the roster, nailed a game-winning 43-yard field goal Saturday to give the Lions a comeback win, 24-23, over the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 2 of the preseason.
The former United Football League standout with the Michigan Panthers also connected on a 55-yard field goal at the beginning of the second quarter to put the Lions on the scoreboard.
Bates walks it off‼️
#DETvsKC | 📺 Lions TV Network pic.twitter.com/SQFt2VtySw— Detroit Lions (@Lions) August 17, 2024
"Jake Bates, that's a big kick," Lions coach Dan Campbell said postgame of the winning field goal. "And so here we go, that's two weeks in a row, he hits a 53 (last week against the New York Giants) and a 55-yarder, and then hits a game-winner. Every time he does something like that, you gain a little more confidence in him, so that was really good to see."
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Bates missed an extra point after a 61-yard touchdown pass from Nate Sudfeld to Kaden Davis, but came back to convert a 23-yard field goal at the end of the first half, bringing the Lions within 16-12 at halftime.
After a stalled drive that had the Lions in the red zone, Bates nailed a 32-yard field goal toward the end of the third quarter.
Bates went 4-for-4 on field goals against the Chiefs, and 2-for-3 on extra points.
For more about Bates — who did not attempt a field goal in college — read our Saturday feature: Who is Lions kicker Jake Bates? You don't have to worry about him in the clutch.
Bates made a 64-yard field goal for the Panthers to win their UFL season opener at Ford Field in March.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Jake Bates calmly drills game-winning FG for Detroit Lions vs. Chiefs