Jake Bates: Detroit Lions fan-favorite has brutal end to regular season

Mike Moraitis

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Jake Bates: Detroit Lions fan-favorite has brutal end to regular season image

The Michigan Panthers and Birmingham Stallions squared off in what was a preview of their playoff game next week and the contest saw kicker Jake Bates misfire on a potential game-winning field goal.

Bates entered the game 15-of-19 on the season but missed one field goal in each of the previous two games. After missing a 51-yarder in Week 8 against the Memphis Showboats, the Panthers kicker missed a chip-shot 39-yard attempt against the Houston Roughnecks in Week 9.

With Bates and the Panthers down 20-19 in the closing seconds, the kicker had a 53-yard attempt in front of him but missed it very wide right. It was Bates' fourth miss at an outdoor venue this season.

Bates did hit a pair of field goals in the contest, with the first coming in the first quarter from 39 yards out to put Michigan on the board.

Then, in the fourth quarter, Bates hit a 44-yard try.

Both teams will look ahead to their matchup next week in the USFL Conference Championship Game on June 8. The game will be broadcast on ABC and ESPN Xtra on SiriusXM.

As for Bates, he finishes the regular season with a 77.2% success rate (17-of-22). Six of his makes came from 50-plus yards, and three of those were from 60 or longer. Of his five misses, four of them were from 50-plus yards.

Bates has reportedly drawn interest from NFL teams, including the Detroit Lions. He'll have an opportunity to rebound in next week's playoff game, when Bates can erase some of the late-season struggles he's had with a strong performance.

Mike Moraitis

Mike Moraitis Photo

After cutting his teeth with Bleacher Report, Mike Moraitis has covered the Los Angeles Rams and Tennessee Titans for FanSided, and the Titans and New York Giants for USA TODAY Sports Media Group. On top of his duties with Sporting News, Mike is the managing editor and lead writer for Titans Wire.