Jake Bates was calm, cool and collected. More importantly, he was confident. That’s why it seemed like no problem for him to drill the game-winning 44-yard field goal to give the Lions a 31-29 win over the previously undefeated Minnesota Vikings and take over first place in the NFC North.
Head coach Dan Campbell talked about that kick in his post-game press conference.
“He felt good about it,” Campbell said. “We’ve had five games with him and when you see him every day in practice, and you give him the crowd noise and you move the spot and I’m yelling at him and you’re just applying pressure and watching him, he just continues to make these kicks and you feel good when he gets thrust into it.”
Coach Campbell on Jake Bates' clutch game-winner. pic.twitter.com/tnPSr0jEcA
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) October 20, 2024
That was the one and only attempt of the day for Bates. One is all he needed. Bates is now a perfect 10-for-10 on the year in field goal attempts, but none bigger so far than Sunday’s game-winner in Minnesota.