Matt Prater is an 18-season NFL veteran with a distinguished kicking career that includes two Pro Bowls.
He has never had a week like this.
Prater, 41, signed with the Buffalo Bills on Thursday after Buffalo’s regular kicker Tyler Bass landed on injured reserve with a hip/groin injury. On Sunday, Prater hit the game-winning field goal in a Week 1 game that could very well stand up as the NFL’s game of the year once the regular season is done.
Advertisement
The Bills overcame a 15-point fourth quarter deficit to stun the fellow Super Bowl contending Baltimore Ravens for a 41-40 win. Prater capped the game with a 32-yard field goal as time expired to secure the win.
Bills quarterback Josh Allen led the comeback to punctuate a 394-yard passing effort that included four total touchdowns. After the game, he was stoked to celebrate with his new teammate.
Allen ran to find Prater on the field after the victory was secured and greeted him with a bear hug.
“Hey! Hey! Hey!” Allen screamed, grabbing Prater’s attention. “Welcome to Buffalo, baby.”
Advertisement
Allen then sung Prater’s praises postgame while explaining how the two met just last week.
“Honestly, I met him in the locker room two days ago,” Allen said. “He showed me a video of his son playing quarterback. Today before the game, he comes up to me in the locker room before we even take the field.
“He says, ‘I promise you I’m gonna give you everything I’ve got tonight.’ This guy’s been around the league for long time. I’m just thankful he’s here for us.”
Prater’s job with the Bills could have a short shelf life. Bass is a five-year veteran with the team with a track record of success and will presumably return to the job once he’s healthy.
Advertisement
But Prater’s already endeared himself with his teammates and Bills fandom with his clutch role in a big win as Buffalo seeks the franchise’s first Super Bowl victory.
Read the full article here