With kicker Jake Bates on the roster, there is almost no field goal too long for the Detroit Lions, which the former UFL star proved again in the Week 17 game against the San Francisco 49ers.

With the Lions trailing 28-21 in the third quarter of an offensive surge on Monday night, Detroit’s second series of the second half stalled at the 40-yard line when quarterback Jared Goff was sacked.

Most teams would simply punt the ball away, but not the Lions, who have a kicker in Bates who has a monster leg, something that made him famous during his time in the UFL with the Michigan Panthers.

The Lions called Bates’ number to attempt the 57-yard field goal, and Bates drilled it casually and without issue to bring the Lions within four points.

JAKE BATES FROM 57 pic.twitter.com/O5O5hSZDWp

— Crunch Time Sports (@officialctpod) December 31, 2024

Believe it or not, this is not Bates’ longest field goal of the season, as he practiced a 58-yard attempt earlier in the season. But even that attempt was a chip shot for Bates, who completed several 60-yard throws with the Panthers.

After his success in the UFL, Bates attracted a lot of attention from NFL teams, but the Lions were able to keep him in-state by signing him to a two-year contract.

Bates was originally scheduled to compete with veteran kicker Michael Badgley, but suffered a season-ending injury that resulted in Bates being the only kicker on the roster.

After some struggles over the summer, the Lions continued to show confidence in Bates and he was able to secure the job at the start of the season and hasn’t looked back. With his make on Monday night, Bates has made 24 of 27 attempts in 2024, accomplishing everything the Lions had hoped for.

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