Matt Prater

Matt Prater Bio

Matt Prater (Matthew Phillip Prater) is an American professional football placekicker for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League (NFL). Regarded as one of the best long-distance kickers in NFL history, he held the NFL record for longest field goal (64 yards) from 2013 until 2021 and holds the NFL record for most 50+ yard field goals in a career with 82. He played college football for the UCF Knights and was originally signed by the Lions as an undrafted free agent in 2006. Throughout his career, Prater has consistently shown exceptional skill and power, making him a valuable asset to all teams he has played for.

Early Life and Background

Matt Prater was born on August 10, 1984, in Mayfield Heights, Ohio, USA. He attended Estero High School in Estero, Florida, where he played football for the Wildcats. During his high school career, he converted 56 of 58 extra point attempts and 14 field goals, including one of 49 yards. Prater converted 84% of his kickoffs in the end zone for touchbacks. He was named second-team All-State, first-team all-conference and All-Southwest Florida. He was also selected to the second-team “Dream Team.” Prater graduated from Estero High School in 2002. Prater transferred to Estero High School his sophomore year from Cypress Lake High School.

Path to American Football

Prater attended the University of Central Florida (UCF) from 2002 to 2005, playing college football for the UCF Knights. He showed signs of his leg strength early in his collegiate career, making a 53-yard field goal on his first attempt against Penn State in 2002. As a sophomore in 2003, Prater led the nation in punting and set school and Mid-American Conference records with 47.9 yards per punt. He was also second-team All-American that season. Prater continued to develop his kicking skills throughout his college career, setting the stage for his entry into the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2006.

Matt Prater Career

Early Career (2006-2007)

Prater was signed by the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent in 2006 but was released during preseason. He then had brief stints with the Miami Dolphins and Atlanta Falcons in 2007, where he struggled to secure a consistent role. During this early period, Prater bounced between teams, struggling to find his footing in the NFL. These experiences helped him develop resilience and adaptability that would prove valuable later in his career.

Denver Broncos Breakthrough (2007-2014)

The Denver Broncos signed Prater off the Dolphins’ practice squad in December 2007, marking the beginning of his first extended NFL tenure. He became the starting kicker for the Broncos in 2008, replacing Jason Elam. Prater made a 56-yard field goal in 2008, which was the third longest in team history and the longest away from Denver. He improved steadily over the years, earning AFC Special Teams Player of the Week multiple times. In 2013, Prater had a career-defining season, setting an NFL record with a 64-yard field goal against the Tennessee Titans. He also set a new NFL record for extra points in a single season with 75 and was named Second-team All-Pro and earned his first Pro Bowl selection. Prater appeared in his first Super Bowl following the 2013 season, though the Broncos suffered a 43-8 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.

Detroit Lions Era (2014-2020)

After being released by the Broncos in 2014 following a suspension, Prater joined the Detroit Lions. In his debut as a Lion, he made a game-winning 48-yard field goal against the Vikings after a delay of game penalty allowed him to re-kick. Prater signed a three-year extension in 2015 and continued to excel. In 2016, he set franchise records for the longest field goal (59 yards) and was named to his second Pro Bowl. Prater established NFL records for consecutive field goals of 50+ yards (14) and 55+ yards (7) during the 2016-2017 seasons. He continued to perform at a high level with the Lions, earning multiple Special Teams Player of the Week awards and becoming one of the most reliable kickers in the NFL.

Buffalo Bills Era (2025-Present)

Prater signed with the Buffalo Bills in 2025 after an injury to Tyler Bass. In his first game with the Bills, he made all three field goal attempts, including a 32-yard game-winning kick as time expired to help beat the Baltimore Ravens 41-40. This performance solidified his role as the Bills’ kicker for the 2025 season. Prater’s accuracy and clutch kicking continued to make him a valuable asset to the team.

Driving Style and Strengths

Prater is known for his powerful leg and exceptional accuracy on long field goals. His technique emphasizes a smooth approach and consistent contact with the ball, allowing him to maintain accuracy even from extreme distances. Prater excels in pressure situations, having made numerous game-winning kicks throughout his career. His strong leg also makes him effective on kickoffs, consistently placing the ball deep in the end zone.

Notable Events and Milestones

Prater’s NFL career is marked by several significant milestones. His 64-yard field goal in 2013 stood as the NFL record until 2021, and he still holds the record for most 50+ yard field goals in a career with 82. He became the 13th all-time leading scorer in NFL history with 1,908 points. Prater has also excelled in clutch situations, making game-winning kicks in multiple seasons across different teams. His ability to perform under pressure has made him one of the most reliable kickers in NFL history.

Matt Prater Career Wins

Throughout his career, Prater has established himself as one of the most accurate and powerful kickers in NFL history, with numerous significant achievements across multiple teams. His ability to consistently make long-distance field goals has set him apart from his peers.

NFL Highlights

Prater has compiled an impressive record of field goals made, with 425 career field goals on 507 attempts, giving him an 83.8% success rate. He holds the NFL record for most 50+ yard field goals in a career with 82. His 64-yard field goal in 2013 was the longest in NFL history until 2021, and he has made multiple 59-yard field goals. Prater has also excelled in clutch situations, making game-winning kicks in various seasons, including his 32-yard game-winner for the Bills in 2025.

Other Wins & Performances

Beyond his field goal prowess, Prater has been exceptional on extra points, converting 633 of 652 attempts (97.1%). His 75 extra points in 2013 set an NFL single-season record. Prater’s versatility extends to special teams, where he has recorded 489 touchbacks on kickoffs. His consistent performance has earned him Pro Bowl selections in 2013 and 2016, as well as Second-team All-Pro honors in 2013.

Matt Prater Family

Family Background and Racing Lineage

There is limited publicly available information about Matt Prater’s family background and lineage. He has not publicly discussed his parents or family members extensively during his career.

Personal Life

Matt Prater is married, though details about his spouse are not publicly disclosed. There is no information available about children. Prater maintains a relatively private personal life, focusing attention primarily on his football career.

2025 Season Performance

During the 2025 season with the Buffalo Bills, Prater has continued to demonstrate his exceptional kicking abilities. He appeared in 15 games, converting 46 of 49 extra point attempts (93.9%) and 18 of 20 field goal attempts (90%). Prater made his debut with the Bills in Week 1 by making all three field goal attempts, including the game-winning 32-yard kick as time expired to defeat the Baltimore Ravens 41-40. This early performance set the tone for his successful season with the Bills. Prater’s accuracy under pressure has remained a hallmark of his career, and he has consistently delivered in crucial moments for the team. As the season progressed, he continued to be a reliable asset for the Bills, contributing significantly to their special teams performance throughout the year.