### Lions' Kicker Jake Bates Earns NFC Special Teams Player of the Week Honors Again

Detroit Lions' kicker Jake Bates continues to impress, clinching the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week award for the second time this season. This accolade brings Detroit's total weekly honors to six for the season.

Bates, a standout in only nine career games, was pivotal in the Lions' recent triumph over the Houston Texans. With just 5:01 remaining in Sunday night's game, Bates launched a remarkable 58-yard field goal to level the score at 23-23. Nearly five minutes later, he sealed the game with a dramatic 52-yard field goal, securing a 26-23 victory for Detroit.

Detroit Lions' official social media echoed the excitement: "JAKE. BATES. CALLED. GAME. #DETvsHOU | NBC," celebrating his game-changing performance.

Head coach Dan Campbell praised Bates' clutch kicks. "We're getting some pretty long kicks here," Campbell noted. "I don't particularly like to do that all the time, but sometimes you need it when you get in a game like that. He's answered the bell."

Bates previously earned the same weekly honor in Week 7, following a game-winning 44-yard kick against the Minnesota Vikings with just 15 seconds left. This season, Bates has made all 14 of his field goal attempts, including a perfect 6-for-6 from beyond 40 yards. His only blemish has been one missed extra point out of 33 attempts.

The Lions have consistently featured in the NFC Player of the Week selections, underscoring their strong performances this season.