Will the Rams face the Lions’ new kicker, Jake Bates, in Week 1?

The Los Angeles Rams will kick off their 2024 season just as the previous one ended: facing the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on Sunday Night Football.

While much remains consistent for this eagerly anticipated matchup—such as the quarterback showdown between Matthew Stafford and Jared Goff, whose careers are closely linked following their 2021 trade—there is a potential change looming for both teams: the kicker position.

The Rams selected Joshua Karty from Stanford in the sixth round of this year’s NFL Draft. LA has been seeking stability at kicker since losing Matt Gay to a lucrative free agent deal with the Indianapolis Colts after the 2022 season. Last year started with Brett Maher, then transitioned to Lucas Havrisik, before returning to Maher by season’s end. Karty has shown accuracy within 50 yards, but it remains to be seen if he can adjust to the professional level without any growing pains.

Meanwhile, the Lions have added Jake Bates, a highly sought-after kicker from the UFL who most recently played for the Michigan Panthers. Bates showcased his ability by hitting a 64-yard field goal last season and garnered interest from teams like the Washington Commanders and Green Bay Packers. He will compete with former Los Angeles Chargers kicker Michael Badgley for the starting role in Detroit.

With the possibility that a field goal could decide the season opener between the Lions and Rams, the outcome of the game may hinge on a new face for either team. Could Karty be called upon to make a game-winning kick in his rookie debut? Will Bates’ success in the UFL translate to the NFL? First, he must secure the starting job over the veteran, but the kicker matchup is shaping up to be one of many intriguing storylines as Week 1 approaches.

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