If you have been following Detroit Lions kicker Matt Prater, you realize that he has one of the strongest legs in NFL history. In addition to being able to kick the ball 50+ yards with ease on a regular basis, he is also very accurate from long range. In 2016, Prater made all seven of his attempts from 50+ yards, and over the past two seasons, he is 12-for-13 from that distance.
On Wednesday, Prater’s teammate, Lions punter Sam Martin, made an appearance on Radio Row in Houston prior to Super Bowl LI and gave his thoughts on Prater attempting a 70-yard kick in a game situation.
“If it was a must-kick opportunity, I think we have a better chance of him making that kick than launching the ball in the end zone,” Martin said.
It’s highly unlikely that Prater ever will be in a situation to attempt a 70-yard field goal in a game because of the risk of a block (based on the low trajectory of the ball) and possibility of a return (if the attempt were short). But Martin said there’s one scenario in which it could happen.
“If it’s the last play of the game and we’re down, I doubt they’re putting a returner back there,” Martin said. “But he definitely can. In pregame every game, he hits from 60, like, easy. He’s still got a leg. His age (32) isn’t affecting him much.”
Recently, in a video that went viral, Prater drilled a field goal from 76-yards at a Pro Bowl practice, besting Ravens kicker Justin Tucker who had hit from 75-yards the day before.
Nation, what distance would you feel comfortable with Matt Prater attempting a field goal in a game?
To read the full article from the Detroit Free Press, click the link below.
Source: Detroit Lions’ Sam Martin: Matt Prater could make 70-yard FG in game
