Jake Bates has earned the honor for the second time this season.
Bates, a rookie kicker for the Detroit Lions, was named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week on Wednesday after hitting two field goals from beyond 50 yards in the Lions’ comeback victory over the Houston Texans.
Bates drilled a career-high 58-yard field goal with 5:01 left to tie the game at 23, then nailed the game-winner from 52 yards as time expired. The Lions overcame a 16-point halftime deficit for the win.
“He’s kicking as well as anyone in the league right now,” said Lions quarterback Jared Goff after the game.
“We see him hit these long ones in practice, so we know his range. Both kicks looked good from farther than where they were. We’re really confident in him. It’s impressive for a young guy with little experience to step up twice on the road, ice cold, and make both. Pretty good.”
The Lions, currently 8-1 and leading the NFC, have received six Player of the Week honors this season. Along with Bates’ two awards, Jack Fox was Special Teams Player of the Week in Week 3, Jared Goff took Offensive Player of the Week in Week 4, Brian Branch was Defensive Player of the Week in Week 6, and Kalif Raymond was Special Teams Player of the Week in Week 8.
Dave Birkett will be signing his new book, Detroit Lions: An Illustrated Timeline, at 7 p.m. Nov. 18 at Applebee’s in Auburn Hills. Order your copy here. Contact him at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on X and Instagram at @davebirkett.
