Matt Prater drilled a 59-yard field goal as time expired to give the Detroit Lions a 30-27 win over the Washington Football Team. His game-winning field goal was setup by a roughing the passer penalty by Washington defensive end Chase Young.
Young hit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford after Stafford had already thrown the football. Stafford had just missed rookie wide receiver Quintez Cephus on what would have been an incredible game-winning touchdown.
Young’s penalty gave Detroit 15 yards and a first down, moving the football to the 50-yard line. After a nine-yard completion to Marvin Jones, Prater, who owns the NFL record for the longest made field goal (64 yards), gave Washington a gut-wrenching defeat with the clutch kick.
The ending of the game spoiled Alex Smith’s incredible first start since he suffered a horrific leg injury two years ago. Smith set career highs with 390 passing yards and 38 completions on 55 attempts.
Washington erased a 24-3 third quarter deficit to tie the game at 27-all with 16 seconds remaining. However, Stafford had three timeouts. That along with an aided penalty was all the Lions needed to pull off the epic win.
