Jake Bates wins award, helps Detroit Lions make franchise history | Sporting News

After a standout month of November, kicker Jake Bates has captured an award, and in the process the Detroit Lions have made franchise history.

Bates was named the league’s NFC Special Teams Player of the Month for the month of November, the NFL announced on Thursday.

Bates is the first Lions kicker to win the award since Matt Prater in September of the 2017 campaign, and he’s the third Lions kicker to win it in franchise history, along with Prater and Jason Hanson, who won the honor twice and five times, respectively.

In the process of Bates winning the award, the Lions have made franchise history, marking the first time Detroit players have won offensive, defensive and special teams Player of the Month awards in the same season.

Star edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson took home the defensive honor in September, and quarterback Jared Goff won the offensive award in October.

Signed back in June after a standout stint in the United Football League, Bates has been phenomenal in what is his first full season in the NFL. The former Michigan Panthers star has made 19-of-20 field goal attempts, and 44-of-45 extra points.

In the month of November, Bates scored 41 points by making all 17 of his extra points and 8-of-9 field goals. One of his game-winners came during the month against the Houston Texans.

Bates gained notoriety during the 2024 UFL season, when he made incredibly long field goals on an almost weekly basis while also flashing a clutch gene with some game-winners. He has displayed those qualities during his 12 games with the Lions, nailing all five of his field goal tries from 50-plus and multiple game-winners.

Bates and the Lions return to action on Thursday night for a Week 14 matchup at Ford Field versus the Green Bay Packers.

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