NFC North Division Standings
TEAM | W | L | T | PCT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  DetroitLions | 15 | 2 | 0 | 0.882 |
| 2 |  MinnesotaVikings | 14 | 3 | 0 | 0.824 |
| 3 |  Green BayPackers | 11 | 6 | 0 | 0.647 |
| 4 |  ChicagoBears | 5 | 12 | 0 | 0.294 |
TEAM | W | L | T | PCT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
TEAM | W | L | T | PCT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
TEAM | W | L | T | PCT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | DetroitLions | 15 | 2 | 0 | 0.882 |
| 2 | MinnesotaVikings | 14 | 3 | 0 | 0.824 |
| 3 | Green BayPackers | 11 | 6 | 0 | 0.647 |
| 4 | ChicagoBears | 5 | 12 | 0 | 0.294 |
Bates didn't earn an NFL gig in 2023, after going undrafted and signing with the Texans, but there was renewed interest last spring once he'd kicked three field goals of 60-plus yards in the UFL. He ended up winning the job in Detroit and holding it down all year, finishing seventh among kickers in fantasy points behind a league-high 67 PATS (64 converted). Bates also performed well on field goals, missing just three, although his 29 attempts tied for 21st, lagging behind other kickers due to Detroit's aggressive approach on fourth down and excellent efficiency at converting scoring chances into TDs. Even if both those factors are unchanged under new offensive coordinator John Morton, it's a relatively stable situation that ensures Bates will have enough PATs to stay fantasy relevant.
