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The Detroit Lions and their kicker, Jake Bates, were so close to an NFL record.
At the end of the first half on Monday Night Football, the Lions had Bates try a 67-yard field goal against the Baltimore Ravens.
If it had gone through, it would've set the new NFL record, breaking former Ravens kicker Justin Tucker's mark of 66 yards.
But Bates' kick went just wide to the left.
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Who is the Lions' kicker?
The Lions' kicker, Jake Bates, has a cool story.
He played college football at Central Arkansas, Texas State and Arkansas. But he was only a kickoff specialist. He never attempted a college field goal.
He had offseason opportunities with the Buccaneers and Texans in his draft year but didn't stick.
Bates worked as a brick salesman in Houston before joining the UFL's Michigan Panthers in 2024.
He did so well that the Lions gave him a two-year contract, and he replaced Michael Badgley after the veteran tore his hamstring.
And now, Bates is one of the best kickers in the NFL.
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What is Jake Bates' longest field goal?
Jake Bates made a 64-yard field goal during the 2024 UFL season.
His longest field goal in the NFL so far is 58 yards.
He clearly has the leg to go further, as seen on his 67-yard attempt on MNF in Week 3 of 2025 that had the distance but was just wide to the left.
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