Much was made of the Buffalo Bills’ offence and defence in their 37-point win over the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 3, but one underappreciated aspect of the triumph was kicker Tyler Bass’s performance.
Bass made seven of his eight kicks in the game, making both of his field goal attempts (one a 43-yarder) and going five of six on extra points; Roy Robertson-Harris blocked his first PAT of the night. He’s now five of six on field goals and 13 of 14 on extra points through three games, following a disappointing 2023 season and subsequent summer.
Following Monday’s victory, Bills head coach Sean McDermott praised Bass in his postgame news conference.
“You know, we had the one that unfortunately got blocked,” McDermott remarked. “We’ll have to look into it early in the game, the extra point. I was really pleased by his tenacity, and I felt he was hitting the ball good [Monday] and making the field goal at the end, I believe it was 40-something. It was also fantastic to have that kick, and his kickoffs appeared to be driving the ball effectively, so it was a step in the right way, and we’ll keep moving forward.”
Bass made only 82.8% of his kicks last season (22nd among kickers with 25 or more field goal attempts), and his Week 2 miss forced the Bills to try out two kickers. Buffalo’s brass has consistently voiced confidence in Bass, and McDermott now believes the team’s faith has paid off.
Bass hasn’t been asked to make many high-pressure kicks this season, as Buffalo has built comfortable leads early in its last two games. When those opportunities arise, the Bills will learn more about the specialist and whether he has regained his form; for the time being, Buffalo is overjoyed with its kicker.
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