Denver Broncos kicker Matt Prater's efforts on Sunday against the Chicago Bears were crucial to the team's comeback victory, and Prater was rewarded on Tuesday by being named the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week. His two kicks were especially notable because they were both high-pressure and long distance attempts. The first, which tied the score at 10 in the final seconds and sent the game to overtime, covered 59 yards. The game-winner in overtime came from 51 yards out. Prater made a little history in the process:
With his performance against the Bears, he joined Indianapolis kicker Mike Vanderjagt (at Den., 11/24/02) as the only two players in NFL history to kick a 50+yard field goal with less than a minute remaining to force overtime in addition to kicking an overtime game winner from 50+ yards.
Next up for Prater and the Broncos, the New England Patriots.
For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more in-depth coverage, head over to Broncos blog Mile High Report. Head over to SB Nation NFL for more from around the league.