On Sunday, the Atlanta Falcons absolutely stomped the Green Bay Packers 44-21 in the NFC Championship game and because of that result, one Detroit Lions player is likely headed to the second Pro Bowl of his career.
With Atlanta rolling toward the Super Bowl, Lions would wind up with a Pro Bowler after all. Matt Prater 1 of 2 alternates for K Matt Bryant
— kyle meinke (@kmeinke) January 22, 2017
Lions kicker Matt Prater was the first alternate at kicker on the NFC Pro Bowl roster, behind Atlanta’s Matt Bryant.
Bryant won’t play in the game now that his team has advanced to the Super Bowl, leaving Prater as his expected replacement.
Prater made 31 of 36 field goals for the Lions this year, and all nine of his attempts of 50-plus yards (including two in a playoff loss to the Seattle Seahawks).
He also made six game-winning or game-tying field goals this season.
If Prater does in fact head to Orlando for the Pro Bowl next Sunday, he may be the only member of the Detroit Lions on the NFC roster. Lions CB Darius Slay has said he would play if called upon, and there is an outside chance that Matthew Stafford could get a call as an alternate, though it is highly unlikely that he would attend due to his injured middle finger.
Source: Lions K Matt Prater slated for Pro Bowl with Falcons in Super Bowl
