MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Jake Bates was selling bricks. Now he's making game-winning kicks in the NFL.
Bates made a 44-yard field goal with 15 seconds left to give the Detroit Lions a 31-29 victory over the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday.
Bates is 10 for 10 on field goals this season and 20 for 21 on extra points. The rookie signed with the Lions in June after putting together a strong performance with the Michigan Panthers of the UFL, where he made three field goals of at least 60 yards in the spring league.
Bates, 25, was the Southeastern Conference Kicker of the Year in 2022, his only year at Arkansas. After going undrafted, he thought it was time to try a different field — a much different field.
“Eighteen months ago, I thought I was through with football,” Bates said. “I was selling bricks back in Houston. I thought the dream was dead.”
Instead, he got a tryout with his hometown Houston Texans. He spent 10 days in their training camp before being cut in August 2023.
That led him to the UFL, where he made 7 of 11 field goals from 50-plus yards for the Panthers last spring.
The Lions gave him a chance to compete with Michael Badgley for the team's kicking job. The competition ended on July 25 when Badgley suffered a season-ending injury. Since then, it's been Bates' job, and it didn't take him long to earn the confidence of coach Dan Campbell.
“I just felt good about it,” Campbell said of the decision to try for a field goal rather than push for a touchdown on the Lions' final drive. “We’ve had five NFL games with him, and then 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 — you’re just applying pressure and watching as he continues to make these kicks.”
“You feel pretty good when he gets pressed into it,” Campbell continued. “We just felt like his confidence is growing and he’d just go out there and it’s just the next kick, and he did that.”
With more than 66,000 fans roaring at US Bank Stadium, the rookie calmly went out and split the uprights.
“It was definitely the loudest environment I’ve ever kicked in. But at the end of the day, it’s doing the same job that I prayed for for so long, and I worked so hard for,” Bates said. “I kind of just told myself to stay calm ... doing those things to keep my head in a good space and then go out there and do my job.”
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
Detroit Lions place-kicker Jake Bates (39) kicks a 44-yard field goal out of the hold of Jack Fox (3) against the Minnesota Vikings during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Detroit Lions place-kicker Jake Bates (39) celebrates his 44-yard field goal against the Minnesota Vikings during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Detroit Lions place kicker Jake Bates speaks to the media after an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
CLEVELAND (AP) — As Deshaun Watson tucked the ball under his arm and collapsed without being touched, some Browns fans cheered.
For all the wrong reasons.
Cleveland's polarizing quarterback, who has divided the team's fan base since his arrival two years ago, suffered an apparent season-ending Achilles tendon injury on Sunday in the first half of a 21-14 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.
It's yet another startling twist in Watson's tenure with the Browns, who believed they were getting a franchise quarterback when they signed him to a fully guaranteed, $230 million contract in 2022.
Now, everything is uncertain.
Browns coach Kevin Stefanski, who has stuck with Watson this season despite his uneven play, didn't officially rule out the QB for the remainder of the season. But all signs point to the 29-year-old missing the rest of the year.
“That's what it looks like,” Stefanski said.
Watson's leg crumpled on a non-contact play as he dropped back to pass with 1:26 left before halftime. As he planted, Watson's calf appeared to quiver before he gave himself up and dropped to the turf.
The embattled Watson, whose two-plus seasons with Cleveland have been marked by off-field problems, injuries and poor play, covered his head with a towel as he was carted off. While he was down, the Browns and Bengals left their sidelines to surround him and offer support.
Initially, some boos could be heard before fans realized the severity of Watson's injury.
Browns star defensive end Myles Garrett was disgusted that some fans cheered when Watson went down.
“Whether it’s an opponent that goes down or one of our own, we don’t boo,” Garrett said. “We should be ashamed of ourselves as Browns and as fans to boo anyone and their downfall — could be a season-altering, career-altering injury.
“The man is not perfect. He doesn’t need to be. None of us are expected to be perfect. Can’t judge him for what he does off the field or on the field because I can’t throw stones from my glass house. But we need to do better.”
Joe Burrow threw two touchdown passes in the third quarter as the Bengals (3-4) ended a six-game losing streak at Cleveland. While he has played well against every team in the NFL, Burrow had struggled against the Browns, coming in 1-5 overall and 0-3 on the road.
Burrow connected with Ja’Marr Chase for an 18-yard TD, and six minutes later he found Tee Higgins for a 25-yard score. He completed 15 of 25 passes for 181 yards.
“Big win,” Burrow said. “But it’s just one. We’re 3-4 now. Great teams find ways to win and I think we’ve got a chance to be a great team. We’re not there yet.”
Watson has been controversial since the Browns (1-6) traded three first-round draft picks to Houston for him. He was suspended the first 11 games in '22 for violating the league's personal conduct policy after two dozen women accused him of sexual assault during massage therapy sessions.
Watson made six starts and showed flashes of his Pro Bowl days with the Texans last year before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury.
The 29-year-old has played poorly for most of this season, but the Browns stuck with him.
Before he got hurt, Watson was 15 of 17 for 128 yards. He was replaced by Dorian Thompson-Robinson, who moved ahead of Jameis Winston on the depth chart this week. Thompson-Robinson finished 11 of 24 for 82 yards and two interceptions before leaving with a finger injury.
Winston played the final 3:43 and threw a TD pass to David Njoku and 2-point conversion to Cedric Tillman.
Like Garrett, Winston was appalled by the fans' behavior.
“I am very upset with the reaction to a man that has had the world against him for the past four years,” Winston said. “He put his body and life on the line for this city every single day. Regardless of your perception, regardless of what you thought should happen with him, he committed every single day that I’ve been here to be the best that he can be for this team.”
Charlie Jones returned the opening kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown for the Bengals, who have won three of four after a three-game slide to start the season.
Watson's injury came as the Browns welcomed running back Nick Chubb, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 2 last season. Chubb ran for a 1-yard touchdown just after Watson went out.
Chubb received a thunderous ovation when he sprinted from the tunnel during pregame introductions. The roar came seconds after the struggling Watson was booed before Cleveland's first home game in three weeks.
“I was so happy for him to get a touchdown, his first game back, and I know how much the fans love him,” Winston said. “I heard those 'Chubb, Chubb, Chubb,’ and we need more of that."
The Bengals were up 7-0 before Burrow even touched the ball.
Jones caught the opening kick at his goal line, found a seam at Cleveland's 25, made a cut to the right and was gone. He nearly got caught at the 10-yard line but kept his feet, stayed in bounds and tumbled into the end zone.
It was only the third kick return of his career. He took punt back 81 yards for a TD last season as a rookie against Baltimore.
Jones’ TD was the longest return this season and the third one since the new kickoff rule was implemented this season.
Bengals: S Geno Stone was taken off on a cart with a leg injury late in the fourth. Stone was put in an air cast after he was accidentally hit by teammate Vonn Bell. Coach Zac Taylor said Stone's injury wasn't as serious as it appeared. ... LT Orlando Brown Jr. went out in the second quarter with a right knee injury and didn't return.
Browns: Stefanski confirmed Thompson-Robinson's injury was to his throwing hand, but had no further update.
Bengals: Host Philadelphia next Sunday.
Browns: Host Baltimore next Sunday.
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL
Cleveland Browns quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (17) carries for a first down in the second half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (1) celebrates a touchdown reception in the second half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Sam Hubbard (94) celebrates his interception in the second half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Fans cheer for Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb before an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (5) pulls in a pass reception over Cleveland Browns cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) scrambles in the first half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (24) celebrates his touchdown in the first half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Charlie Jones returns the opening kickoff for a touchdown in the first half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) scrambles in the first half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) drops back to pass in the first half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) reacts after being injured in the first half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) is carted off the field after being injured in the first half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) is carted off the field after being injured in the first half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
