The first home win of 2020 for the Detroit Lions had such a sweet ending Sunday. Matt Prater kicked a 59-yard field goal that cleared the crossbar on the game’s final play.
Wow. As NFL official Twitter said in all caps: “PRATER FOR THE WIN FROM 59 YARDS!”
The field goal deserved at least several exclamation points.
Now, here’s what happened to lead up to the kick, which allowed the Lions to celebrate their 30-27 victory over Washington.
Washington rookie Chase Young, the No. 2 pick in this year’s draft, made a huge mistake, allowing the Lions the chance, albeit a long one, for a field goal. Officials tagged the defensive end with roughing the passer with six seconds to play.
Detroit quarterback Matthew Stafford then completed a quick pass for 9 yards. The Lions called a timeout. Prater trotted onto the field.
Obviously, the kick was good. Prater now is three of six on field goal attempts of 50 yards or longer this season.
Prater has been inconsistent in 2020. He was only 14 of 20 on field goal attempts before Sunday.
But if anyone is capable of kicking long bombs, it’s Prater. He owns the NFL record for the longest field goal. He was good for 64 yards in 2013 when he was playing for Denver.
Prater had a 53-yarder earlier in the game. The Detroit PR staff tweeted that it was Prater’s seventh career game with multiple kicks of 50 yards or longer. That’s an NFL record.
Will Matt Prater Earn Free Beer For Detroit?
Prater has a neat competition with Denver’s Brandon McManus to see who can post the longest field goal this season.
Bud Light agreed to sponsor the competition. The city of the winning kicker gets free Bud Light.
Prater’s kick puts him in the lead. McManus, who has the luxury of kicking at high altitude for half his games, has a long of 56 yards so far. And Detroit, you look like you’ll be drinking free. McManus’ career long is 57.
