Bass the Flash? Bills Kicker Makes Next Gen Stat History
Things are going so well for the Buffalo Bills these days that they're even making history on their opponents' scoring plays.
Buffalo's latest showcase, a 27-21 victory over the New England Patriots, began dubiously before ending victoriously, as Jalen Reagor took back Tyler Bass' opening kickoff 98 yards for a score. It proved to be a lowlight in more ways than one for Bass: not only was his kickoff turned into six points but Reagor ran through his last line of defense like a turnstile en route to the end zone.
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Bass, however, set a muted brand of history on the return: while his attempted rundown of Reagor proved futile, Mike Giardi of Boston Sports Journal noted that Next Gen Stats charted the kicker's speed as maxing out at over 20 miles an hour, the fastest for a kickoff man since the advanced categories were introduced in 2016 (h/t Nick Wojton of Bills Wire).
Fortunately for Bass, redemption awaited in the latter stages of the game. He successfully converted all five of his subsequent attempts (two field goals, three extra points) in the win, the Bills' fourth in a row as they close in on an AFC playoff spot and potentially a division title.
Bass has been the Bills' reliable kicker since 2020 and has converted 24-of-29 three-point attempts this season. Even though Bass failed to bring down Reagor, he might as well be Matt Milano when it comes to kickers: he was credited with four tackles over 17 games last season, the most among NFL legs (one of seven with at least two).
Time will tell if Bass is due for another clutch kick ... or tackle ... as the Bills (10-6) face the Miami Dolphins in the NFL's regular season finale on Sunday night (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC).
