On Wednesday evening, Matt Prater was not even part of the Buffalo Bills organization.
At 41 years old, he may have been wondering if his long NFL journey had finally come to an end.
Fast forward just four days, and he was mobbed by teammates in Orchard Park after drilling a 32-yard field goal to seal a stunning 41-40 victory over the Baltimore Ravens.
The story is as improbable as it is inspiring. Signed only because regular kicker Tyler Bass was sidelined with injury, Prater hopped on a red-eye flight to join the practice squad before being promoted to the active roster for a high-stakes rematch of last year’s Divisional round.
By Sunday night, he had delivered one of the most memorable debuts in recent team history.
Fans could hardly believe what they were watching. “MATT PRATER LOOKS LIKE THE TEAM PULLED A RANDOM (GRANDPA) FROM THE STANDS ASKED HIM TO KICK,” one joked on social media.
Another added, “Like your dad’s friend from college at a Halloween party.” The humor kept rolling, with a fan quipping, “Believe it or not Aaron Rodgers is 8 months older than Prater,” while yet another teased, “He’s swinging by Target on the way home tonight.”
From veteran journeyman to Buffalo savior
This is not the first time Prater has delivered under pressure. Over two decades in the NFL, he has connected on more than 450 career field goals, with most fans recognizing him from his stints with the Arizona Cardinals and Detroit Lions.
His résumé includes one of the strongest legs in league history, once holding the record for the longest field goal made.
Yet Sunday’s heroics carried an extra layer of significance. Prater wasn’t just filling in, he was capping off a 15-point comeback that kept Buffalo‘s playoff hopes alive.
He was perfect on the night, converting all five of his kicks (three field goals and two extra points), and none bigger than the game-winner as the scoreboard hit zero.
For Josh Allen, it was an instant bond. The quarterback had only met Prater days earlier, yet trusted him to carry the team in the most crucial moment.
After the final kick split the uprights, teammates swarmed the veteran, acknowledging both his composure and the improbability of the situation.
Kickers playing into their 40s is rare but not unprecedented. Legends like Morten Andersen and Adam Vinatieri set the standard, and now Prater is showing he still belongs in that company.
With Bass out until at least Week 5, Prater will continue as the starter.
For the Bills, what began as a desperate injury replacement has transformed into one of the season’s most unlikely feel-good stories. For Prater, it’s proof that even at 41, there are still chapters left to be written.
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