Matt Prater’s name is back in big, bold type today. The veteran kicker who once moved the goal posts of what was possible has reentered the NFL conversation. His leg changed how coaches think about fourth down and field position. That still matters right now, especially for a team like the Bills that lives in tight, cold games in January.
The 64 that reset the bar
In 2013, Prater drilled a 64 yard field goal for Denver. The kick split the uprights with room to spare. It set the NFL’s all time distance mark at the time and sent a message to every coach in the league. If you cross midfield, you are in his range. That kick did more than score three points. It shifted strategy.
Denver trusted Prater in high pressure spots. He rewarded that faith, through deep attempts and through the grind of long seasons. He helped the Broncos reach the Super Bowl that year. The moment fit the man. Calm. Strong. Precise.
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Long range threats change play calling. Third and 12 is not always a punt when your kicker can hit from 58 to 62 with confidence.
A career built on distance and poise
Prater’s reputation did not come from one swing. It came from years of long kicks that felt routine. He became one of the NFL’s most reliable weapons from 50 yards and beyond. Few kickers have stacked more makes from deep. Even fewer have logged multiple field goals from 60 plus yards. He has.
He carried that power from Denver to Detroit, then to Arizona. Different holders, different snappers, different conditions. The ball still jumped off his foot. He brings a smooth operation and a quick get off time, which helps protection and timing. That is the quiet craft of a veteran kicker. It is not flashy, but it wins games.
Yes, Justin Tucker owns the current record at 66 yards, set in 2021. That does not erase Prater’s mark. It frames it. He helped open the door to a new mindset. Now teams chase points from longer spots, because pros like Prater proved it can be done.
The record book moved to 66 in 2021. Prater’s 64 remains a landmark that reshaped modern kicking.
What this means for Buffalo right now
This is where the Bills come in. Buffalo plays in wind, cold, and pressure. AFC East games in December are a test of technique and nerve. A veteran like Prater brings both. He has kicked in altitude, heat, domes, and sideways winds. He understands tempo and tilt. He can flight the ball lower or higher on command.
The Bills want every edge on special teams. Hidden yards swing playoff seeds. So do field goals from the logo. If Buffalo looks to add competition, depth, or a situational leg, Prater fits. He can stretch the scoring zone by five to eight yards. That changes fourth down math for Sean McDermott. It forces opponents to defend more of the field in the final minute of each half.
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Kicking in Orchard Park is not easy. The ball knuckles. The turf gets slick. The crowd hums. That is where a steady routine matters. Prater’s pre kick process is tight and repeatable. That rhythm survives weather. It also helps a holder and snapper lock in. Special teams is choreography. Prater has run that dance for a very long time.
The toolkit that still plays on Sundays
Here is what Prater still brings on day one with any contender, Buffalo included:
- Live leg to 60, with clean contact and true ball flight
- Two minute poise, he treats the game winner like a Tuesday rep
- Quick operation and firm placement, which helps a protection unit
- Kickoff flexibility, touchbacks when you want them, hang time when you need it
There is also culture. Prater is a pro’s pro in the room. Young specialists watch how he kicks, lifts, and logs notes. That matters in November when bodies ache and margins close. Leadership in the specialist corner is quiet, but it is real.
The bigger picture for the league
The league keeps getting smarter about fourth down. Analytics drive choices. But the kicker decides which choices exist. Prater widened that map a decade ago and he still stretches it now. Put him in a tight AFC race and you gain peace of mind, plus a few extra points from places most teams cannot reach.
Today, the story is simple. Matt Prater’s long range legend still holds weight, and his skill set still solves problems. For Buffalo, and for any team with playoff plans, that is the kind of edge you chase before the weather turns and the season shrinks to one kick.
