Tyler Bass delivered when the Buffalo Bills needed him most.

The veteran kicker’s ongoing struggles are well documented. He made just 82.8% of his field goals throughout the 2023 campaign (22nd among kickers with 25 or more field goal attempts), making just two of five field goal attempts in the playoffs . His struggles continued into the 2024 campaign, as he had made only 80% of his field goals and 92.9% of his extra points entering Week 9. The organization publicly supported Bass amid her woes, but she too had started to prepare for a pivot, with general manager Brandon Beane telling reporters the team would pivot to a “best option” if necessary.

Bass once again struggled to start Buffalo’s Week 9 matchup with the Miami Dolphins, missing an extra point in the third quarter before knocking the ball off the upright on another later in the contest. The talk in Western New York had once again shifted to alternative kicking options; But it’s the 27-year-old who will ultimately have the last word in the conversation.

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With the score tied at 27-27 with less than two minutes remaining in the divisional contest, the Bills attempted a game-winning drive from their own 30-yard line. The chains were moved via penalties and a couple of Mack Hollins completions, with the stage set for Bass to potentially win the game with a 61-yard kick with 10 seconds remaining.

Although perhaps pessimistic, logic suggested that Bass would miss the kick. He struggled for most of last year, and 61 yards would set a career high by a considerable margin. Giving the kicker the opportunity to regain his form with the lights shining on him seemed like a good idea, but the Buffalo faithful were almost universally bracing for overtime.

And then Bass kicked.

The Dolphins didn’t even ice him. Bass just took his chances, as usual, and he not only kicked, he nailed he. The ball crossed the uprights and would have been good even further. Miami got the ball back with seconds left and couldn’t execute a miracle play, with Bass’ inspirational basket ultimately serving as the game-winning score.

Cheers erupted on the sidelines and throughout Highmark Stadium, with the celebration extending into the locker room after the victory. Head coach Sean McDermott highlighted Bass after the win, awarding him the match ball.

It’s an inspiring moment that will hopefully give Bass the much-needed confidence moving forward. He remembered that he is not only capable of making routine kicks, but also of attempting game-winning attempts of more than 60 yards when the lights are brightest. Bass was once one of the most reliable kickers in the league, and one would hope that he now gets back on the path to reaching that status again.

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