Age in the NFL is usually a death sentence. Especially for kickers. One bad Sunday, one pulled muscle, and you're replaced by a 22-year-old with a stronger leg and a cheaper contract.
But Matt Prater is built different.
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Honestly, nobody expected to see the 41-year-old in a Buffalo Bills uniform this late into the 2025-26 season. He was supposed to be a "break glass in case of emergency" signing. A temporary fix. When Tyler Bass went down with a season-ending hip and groin injury before Week 1, the Bills needed a steady hand. What they got was a 19-year veteran who plays like he's still in his 20s.
The Matt Prater Buffalo Bills kicker experiment
It started with a red-eye flight. Prater basically landed in Buffalo just in time to suit up against the Baltimore Ravens in the season opener. Most guys would still be looking for the locker room. Prater? He went 3-for-3 and drilled a walk-off 43-yarder to seal a 41-40 win.
Josh Allen was literally hoisting him onto his shoulders. You’ve seen the clip. It was the moment Buffalo realized they didn't just find a replacement—they found an upgrade in the clutch.
He isn't just "okay" for his age. He's been sensational. 18-of-20 on field goals during the regular season. That’s 90%. In the swirling winds of Orchard Park, those aren't just stats; they're miracles.
Dealing with the "Old Man" injuries
Look, being the oldest active kicker in the league comes with a tax. His right quad has been a nightmare lately. He missed two games in December. Then, just when everyone thought he was back, he had a flare-up in the regular-season finale against the Jets and had to leave after halftime.
It's been a rollercoaster.
Heading into the Wild Card round against Jacksonville, the Bills made a gamble. They didn't elevate Matthew Wright from the practice squad. They went "Prater or bust." It paid off. Even with a bum leg, he was perfect in the 27-24 win over the Jaguars, including a 50-yarder that looked effortless.
Right now, as the Bills prepare for the Divisional Round against Denver on January 17, 2026, he’s finally back to full participation in practice. It’s perfect timing. Why? Because Denver is where the legend of Matt Prater began.
The Denver connection and the altitude factor
Kicking in Mile High is a different beast. The air is thin. The ball carries forever, but the pressure is suffocating. Prater spent seven years with the Broncos. He held the NFL record for the longest field goal (64 yards) for years, set right there in that stadium.
The Bills are heading into a hostile environment against a 14-3 Broncos team. Most kickers would be rattled by the altitude change. For Prater, it's a homecoming. He knows exactly how the ball hangs in that thin air.
Buffalo’s punter, Mitch Wishnowsky, has been taking over kickoff duties to save Prater’s quad. It’s a smart move. It allows Prater to focus purely on the "money" kicks. If the game comes down to a 55-yarder with two seconds left in the freezing Colorado night, there isn't a single person in Buffalo who would rather have anyone else on the field.
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Why he’s different from Tyler Bass
Fans love Tyler Bass. He’s "T-Bass." But Bass had a rocky 2024. The consistency wasn't there. Prater brought a sense of "been there, done that" that calmed the entire special teams unit.
Prater has 82 career makes from 50+ yards. That’s an NFL record. He doesn't just have a leg; he has a resume.
He recently told reporters that this is the best locker room he’s ever been in. That's a huge statement coming from a guy who has played for five different franchises. He’s not just a mercenary kicker anymore; he’s part of the Bills’ soul.
What to watch for this weekend
If you're watching the game against the Broncos, keep an eye on his pre-game warmups. That quad injury is the only thing that can stop him. If he’s hitting from 55 in warmups, Denver is in trouble.
The Bills have a roster built to win a Super Bowl, but championships are often decided by three points. Prater has made 14 of 16 career playoff field goals. He’s never missed an extra point in the postseason. Ever.
The Actionable Outlook for Bills Fans
- Monitor the injury report: Prater was a full participant on Wednesday and Thursday. This is the healthiest he has looked since early November.
- Watch the kickoff strategy: Expect Wishnowsky to handle all kickoffs to preserve Prater's leg for scoring opportunities.
- Expect aggressive playcalling: Knowing Prater can hit from 50+ even in cold weather allows Sean McDermott to stay aggressive in "plus" territory.
The Bills have a weapon that most teams ignore until it's too late. Matt Prater might be 41, but in January, experience is the only currency that matters. If the Bills find themselves in the AFC Championship next week, it'll likely be because the old man's leg didn't fail them when it counted most.