Through four games, Jake Bates has been what the Detroit Lions hoped he’d be. Despite being a touch too close for comfort on a pair of extra points on Monday night against the Seattle Seahawks, he is 5-for-5 on field goals and 11-for-12 on extra points.
With a long field goal of 35 yards so far, Bates’ range has not been pushed by the Lions, but there have not been many chances to do so either. On Monday evening, there was almost a chance.
The Seahawks moved the ball a little and allowed kicker Jason to score after the Lions had an odd offensive series late in the first half where they seemed to be unsure of whether they wanted to run the clock or score and ultimately did neither.
After intercepting the pass in the end zone, Lions cornerback Khalil Dorsey returned it to the 22-yard line. The Lions declined the Seahawks’ facemask penalty, and the half came to a conclusion.
Dan Campbell explains decision to not allow Jake Bates try record-long field goal
About not allowing Bates to attempt that long field goal, Campbell was questioned on Tuesday during his press conference.
“Yes, I was attempting to get him there. We had three extra yards at our disposal. I think that is a bit excessive. It could have been worthwhile to watch him swing at one if I had believed that we could have reached the minus-45. Yes, that would have been nice to watch as well. Today, I informed Fipp,
felt as though, “Man, it would have been nice just to get in, just to give him a swing.” But we couldn’t quite get there. Yes, that was simply too far. And I believe that even there, dude, he is – well, it was too far for a Hail Mary, and even there, there is too much risk because if it is a little low, that thing is blocked.
The Lions would have had an 81-yard field goal try after the 15-yard facemask penalty dropped them to their own 37-yard line. As predicted by Campbell, reaching the 45-yard line would have required a 73-yard run. The NFL record, set at Ford Field in 2021 by Justin Tucker, is 66 yards, as Lions supporters are all too well.
Three sixty-plus yard field goals were made by Bates.If Bates is going to get a chance to attempt a field goal of sixty or seventy yards or more, it will certainly need to be the correct circumstance, a feasible location on the field, with almost little chance of a block, etc. However, Campbell seems interested in giving him that chance if it is feasible, so if/when the circumstances suit, do not be surprised if it does.
