Bills' Tyler Bass chokes up getting game ball for 61-yard field goal to beat Dolphins
Tyler Bass missed an extra point, hit an upright on an extra point and made the longest field goal in Buffalo Bills history. In the same game.
The Bills kicker's turbulent day ended by being hoisted by his teammates in triumph.
The only choking from Tyler Bass was the five-year veteran getting choked up after receiving a game ball following his game-winning 61-yard boot in the final seconds to give the Bills a 30-27 victory over the Miami Dolphins.
Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott presented Bass with a game ball in the locker room.
"Unbelievable journey this guy's been on, man," McDermott said. "Unbelievable, right? Mentally tough. I'm so proud of you, man. Aren't you guys proud of him?"
This moment is EVERYTHING. 🥹#MIAvsBUF | #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/cHTI4qO1Lh
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) November 3, 2024
Bills players erupted and Bass hugged McDermott before addressing his teammates.
"I just want to say, men, I couldn't have done it without you guys," Bass said as his became emotional. "I've been through a lot. I just leaned on you guys, having you always there for me. For me to go out and do that for you guys means a lot."
McDermott put his arm around Bass and asked his kicker if he wanted a "Victory Monday," a reward of extra day of rest after the win.
"When the game is on the line you guys are at your best. And that's an important trait right there," McDermott said. "T. Bass a great example of it right there. Not so good early, comes back, hits the game winner. Sixty-one yards."
TYLER BASS!!!!!!!!!!!!
📺: @paramountplus pic.twitter.com/0YUMp5a5qI— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) November 3, 2024
The maligned kicker has connected on at least 80% of his field goal attempts each year but it's been a rough 2024. Bass went 2 of 5 in the playoffs, including pushing a 44-yard attempt wide right with 1:43 remaining that would've tied the game in a home divisional loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Jan. 21.
"What the heck was that," ESPN play-by-play announcer Joe Buck lambasted a errant Bass extra point attempt on Monday Night Football in Week 6.
Bass has missed three extra points this season, and three field goals in 15 attempts.
His latest miss kept the Bills' lead against the Dolphins to two points, 13-10, in the third quarter. Miami responded with a field goal that gave it the lead, 13-12, instead of a tie due to Bass' missed kick. The Bills scored a touchdown on their next possession and negated the missed extra point with a 2-point conversion for a 20-13 advantage.
"Obviously missing one early in the day, hitting the pole in another, you know he could have easily put it in the tank and a 61-yard field goal to win a game against a division rival, it’s what stories are made of," Bills quarterback Josh Allen said. "Everybody in that locker room’s so happy for him, and he’s our guy.”
FOR. THE. WIN.#MIAvsBUF | #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/C4LxjhGUJw
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) November 3, 2024
Bass has been clutch late in games. He's 9-for-9 in his career in the final minute of the fourth quarter and overtime, and has five game-winning field goals in the final minute.
Buffalo's previous long field goal was by Steve Christie in 1993.
There have only been 16 field goals in NFL history than Bass' game winner.
Justin Tucker of the Baltimore Ravens set an NFL record with a 66-yard field goal on Sept. 26, 2021.
MOOOOOOOOOOOOD!@budlight | #EasyToCelebrate pic.twitter.com/ZPx3DyBoLm
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) November 3, 2024
Longest field goals in NFL history
1. Justin Tucker, Baltimore Ravens, 2021, 66 yards
2. Brandon Aubrey, Dallas Cowboys, 2024, 65 yards
3. Matt Prater, Denver Broncos, 2013, 64 yards
T4. Davis Akers, San Francisco 49ers, 2012, 63 yards
T4. Tom Dempsey, New Orleans Saints, 1970, 63 yards
T4. Jason Elam, Denver Broncos, 1998, 63 yards
T4. Graham Gano, Carolina Panthers, 2018, 63 yards
T4. Sebastian Janikowski, Oakland Raiders, 2011, 63 yards
T4. Brett Maher, Dallas Cowboys, 2019, 63 yards
T4. Joey SLye, New England Patriots, 2024, 63 yards
T11. Matt Bryant, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 2006, 62 yards
T11. Harrison Butker, Kansas City Chiefs, 2022, 62 yards
T11. Stephen Gostkowski, New England Patriots, 2017, 62 yards
T11. Brett Maher, Dallas Cowboys, 2018, 62 yards
T11. Matt Prater, Arizona Cardinals, 2021, 62 yards
T11. Matt Prater, Arizona Cardinals, 2023, 62 yards
T17. Tyler Bass, Buffalo Bills, 2024, 61 yards
T17. Jake Elliott, Philadelphia Eagles, 2017, 61 yards
T17. Jake Elliott, Philadelphia Eagles, 2023, 61 yards
T17. Ka'imi Fairbairn, Houston Texans, 2021, 61 yards
T17. Jay Feely, Arizona Cardinals, 2012, 61 yards
T17. Sebastian Janikowski, Oakland Raiders, 2019, 61 yards
T17. Greg Joseph, Minnesota Vikings, 2022, 61 yards
T17. Brandon McManus, Denver Broncos, 2021, 61 yards
T17. Jason Myers, Seattle Seahawks, 2020, 61 yards
T17. Joey Slye, Washington Commanders, 2023, 61 yards
T17. Justin Tucker, Baltimore Ravens, 2013, 61 yards
T17. Greg Zuerlein, St. Louis Rams, 2015, 61 yards
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Tyler Bass overcome with emotion after winning field goal for Bills