As the Buffalo Bills prepare to face the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High, they will be relying on one of the NFL’s most seasoned kickers, Matt Prater. Having previously spent seven years with the Broncos, from 2007 to 2013, Prater’s wealth of experience positions him as a critical asset in their Divisional Round matchup this Saturday.
The journey that led Prater to reclaim a starting role in Buffalo began during the summer of 2025. Originally, the Bills anticipated that kicker Tyler Bass would continue as a reliable source of points. However, Bass suffered significant injuries to his hip and groin, which landed him on Injured Reserve for the entire season. Following Bass’s setback, the Bills faced the challenge of quickly finding a replacement, prompting a series of auditions for potential kickers. They initially signed rookie Caden Davis, but ultimately, he did not make the final roster.
With time running short, Buffalo turned to the veteran Prater. His signing proved advantageous, as he emerged as one of the team’s standout players this season. During the regular season, Prater successfully converted 18 of 20 field goals, boasting a long kick of 52 yards, and completed 46 of 49 extra-point attempts. His performance also included 84 kickoffs, achieving 11 touchbacks.
Prater’s value to the team became even more apparent when he faced a quadriceps and calf injury late in the regular season. This sidelined him during Weeks 16 and 17, forcing the Bills to explore other kicking options, including Michael Badgley, who struggled under pressure. Ultimately, Prater’s return in Week 18 was a boost for Buffalo, although he re-aggravated his quad injury against the New York Jets, putting his playoff availability in question. Thankfully, he was cleared to play just in time for the Wild Card game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, where he showcased his resilience by hitting field goals of 50 and 47 yards, along with three extra points.
As the Bills look to advance to the AFC Championship game, Prater’s experience in high-pressure situations will be invaluable. This marks his 11th playoff game, and he brings a robust track record of performing under stress, which may help the Bills overcome past postseason kicking struggles.
In summary, Matt Prater’s return not only provides stability to the Buffalo special teams but also injects veteran insight crucial for success in the postseason. With his impressive performance thus far and the support of a determined team, the Bills are looking for a strong showing as they aim for championship glory.