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Jake Bates scores an absurdly long and thrilling field goal for the Detroit Lions

Before being signed by the Detroit Lions in the offseason, kicker Jake Bates made a name for himself in the United Football League by hitting incredibly long field goals for the Michigan Panthers.

Bates routinely made a lot of 50- and 60-yard attempts and often had plenty of room to spare. As a result, he was all the rage in the football world, and that was especially true for Lions fans who knew their team needed a big leg like Bates's.

Bates eventually landed with the Lions after the UFL season was over, and after having some issues during training camp and the preseason, he was able to earn the starting job in Detroit following Michael Badgley's season-ending injury.

Since entering the NFL, Bates hasn't had many opportunities to make long field goals. In fact, he only had one 50-yard attempt early in Week 10, which came from 51 yards out in the Week 8 game against the Tennessee Titans.

Bates had the opportunity to show off his big leg on the national stage Sunday night during the game against the Houston Texans, and he delivered.

Bates lined up from 58 yards out and absolutely made it.

What made the kick even more impressive was the fact that it came in a pressure-filled situation, as Bates' kick tied the game at 23-3 in the fourth quarter.

Despite Bates' incredible distance, it wasn't the longest in Lions history. That belongs to Matt Prater, who coached a 59-yarder while in Detroit.

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