Matt Plater, at 41, may not be the youngest player out there, but he sure made a name for himself this week.
After signing on Friday, Plater’s game-winning field goal during “Sunday Night Football” helped the Bills clinch a thrilling 41-40 victory over the Ravens.
“I won’t say anything about his age, but he walked into our special teams meeting and said, ‘Yeah, I’ve got a new coach,’” noted offensive lineman Spencer Brown post-game. “It’s like, Matt Plater is a legend—he’s hitting field goals like it’s nothing.”
Plater began his NFL journey with the Atlanta Falcons back in 2007 and had notable stints with the Broncos, even making the Pro Bowl in 2013 and 2016. He later played for the Lions and the Cardinals.
“He thought we had a new coach,” offensive lineman Dion Dawkins joked. “Honestly, it’s great to have him here. We needed that, especially after losing Tyler Bass to an injury.”
With Bass on the injured reserve due to a pelvic issue, the Bills quickly brought Plater up from the practice squad.
“It was wild,” Plater said about his signing. “I came in, practiced with red eyes, and honestly felt great about the team.”
After recalling a chaotic season with Tim Tebow in Denver, Plater shared, “I’m still on Cloud Nine.”
Coach Sean McDermott praised Plater, calling him “a true professional” after the game, emphasizing how important it is to perform at that level in tight situations.
Plater also mentioned coaching youth football during his off-seasons, showing his commitment beyond just playing. His game-winning kick marked quite a comeback from a 25-point deficit in the fourth quarter.
With Bass out for at least the first four games, it looks like Plater has secured his spot for the time being. The Bills will be up against the Jets in their next game, while the Ravens will host the Browns.
