Josh Allen’s late game heroics grabbed most of the headlines in Sunday night’s thrilling 41-40 win for the Buffalo Bills, but the ageless wonder, Matt Prater, was the one getting mobbed by his teammates when the clock struck zero in Buffalo last night.
41-year-old Prater got off a red-eye Thursday morning in Buffalo and three days later, on the first Sunday night of the 2025 NFL season, he hit a buzzer beating field goal for the Bills as a member of a team where he is still learning names.
Prater and the Bills pulled off a last second drive trailing by two-points and needing just a field goal to win. After Allen got his team down to the 15 yard line, Buffalo, out of time outs, ran a fire drill to get the kicking unit on the field in time. With less than three seconds left, they got the snap off and Prater nailed the game winner.
Prater entered the Bills locker room on Thursday and was met with hilarious reactions from his new teammates, who thought the 41-year-old was a new addition to the coaching staff.
“He walks into the special teams meeting and I’m like ‘oh we got a new coach… wait that’s Matt Prater,’” rookie tight end Jackson Hawes said.
“The oldest guy in the world, ain’t he?” Bills offensive tackle Dion Dawkins said. “Shoot I’m thankful for him, keep your old ass with the Bills. I’m glad somebody could come in on Thursday and help us big because every piece matters.”
Prater himself was still in shock after the game.
“I’m still on cloud nine, just such a fun experience,” Prater said after the game. “It was awesome just to be a part of it.”
Prater’s Journey to Buffalo
Matt Prater has been in the NFL since 2007. To put that in perspective, Josh Allen was nine years old when Prater made his NFL debut.
In his now 19-year career, Prater has suited up in 255 NFL games and has made 410 field goals. He spent seven years in Denver during the infamous Tim Tebow days, seven years in Detroit and was in Arizona the last four.
When the Bills normal kicker Tyler Bass injured himself late in the preseason, Buffalo made a call to Prater who immediately hopped on a plane to head to western New York.
“It was crazy,” Prater said. “Took a red-eye, came and practiced, got a feel, got to meet some of the guys. I saw a really good practice, a really good team and I was excited to be a part of it.”
Now that Bass is on the injured reserve, he’ll be out for a minimum of four weeks, meaning Bills fans haven’t seen the last of Prater. He may have even stole Bass’ job regardless of his status with his heroics last night.
He definitely stole the heart of every Buffalo fan in attendance.
Prater’s Message to Allen
Prater had a simple message to deliver to Josh Allen when he arrived in Buffalo.
“‘I know we don’t know each other that well yet, but I just want to let you know, I know I just got here, it may not be perfect right now but I’m going to do everything I can to try to be perfect to help this team win while I’m here,’” Prater said to Allen.
The two have quickly formed a bond, as Prater has shown Allen his son’s quarterback highlights. Prater coaches his sons team in Arizona, though he said he has passed those duties off now that he is back in the NFL.
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