DETROIT -- The Detroit Lions have gone down to the wire in every game this season, so their kicker has been even more important than usual. Venezuela World Cup Jerseys .Matt Prater has come through when theyve needed him.Praters 40-yard field goal on the final play lifted the Lions to a 16-13 victory over the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday, putting Detroit alone atop the NFC North. Every game the Lions have played this season has been decided by seven points or fewer, so Prater has had to make decisive kicks on several occasions.I dont think you can ever say anything is automatic, but hes as good as they come in those situations, coach Jim Caldwell said.Praters career was at a crossroads when he joined the Lions in 2014. Detroit was having a hard time finding a dependable kicker after the end of Jason Hansons career, and Prater was available after Denver cut ties with him.Prater had been a standout with the Broncos, but he began that 2014 season on a four-game suspension for violating the leagues substance abuse policy after a positive test for alcohol consumption in the offseason. When he joined the Lions, he said hed voluntarily entered a 12-step program to deal with his alcohol issues.Detroit has been happy to have Prater, who made 21 of 26 field goals during that 2014 season and then went 22 of 24 in 2015. Hes 21 of 24 this season, but that doesnt tell anything close to the whole story.In his career, the 32-year-old Prater has made 18 winning or tying field goals with under 4:00 remaining in the fourth quarter, or in overtime. Six of them have come in 2016.I dont know if Id say ice cold veins, just, you know, I have a lot of confidence in what were doing as far as a unit with guys up front, Prater said. (Don Muhlbach) snapping, Sam (Martin) holding, and I just have confidence where I dont doubt myself.The season nearly began on a sour note for Prater. He missed an extra point with 4:04 remaining in the opener at Indianapolis, and the Colts drove the other way for a touchdown to take a one-point lead in the final minute.Detroit got Prater in position for another chance, though, and his 43-yard field goal with 4 seconds left lifted the Lions to a win.On Oct. 9, Praters 29-yard kick with 1:28 to play helped the Lions to a 24-23 win over Philadelphia. The following weekend, he connected from 34 yards with 1:29 remaining for a 31-28 victory over Los Angeles.Kicks from that distance are routine in the NFL, but on Nov. 6 at Minnesota, the Lions tested Praters range. On the last play of regulation, he made a 58-yarder force overtime. Detroit went on to win 22-16.On Thanksgiving, Prater was under pressure again, and he came through. His 48-yard field goal with 1:45 to play tied the game at 13. Then, after the Lions (7-4) intercepted a pass, he calmly kicked the winner.Basically have the same mindset as an extra point in the first quarter, where I dont go out and ever expect that Im not going to make the kick, Prater said. Maybe Ive been a little luckier, maybe? In the final two minutes of games in tying or winning kicks -- but its just, I try not to overanalyze it too much and hope the most important kick is always the next one.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL .---Follow Noah Trister at www.Twitter.com/noahtrister Cheap Football Venezuela Jerseys . -- Ohio States Urban Meyer has never had any issue acclimating to the biggest stages in college football. Womens Venezuela Jerseys . It was the second consecutive win for the Pacers (2-5), who lost their first five preseason games. Jeff Teague led the Hawks (1-5) with 17 points and eight assists and Al Horford had 12 points and seven rebounds. Mike Scott scored 15 of his 17 points in the second half. http://www.cheapvenezuelajerseys.com/ . Houston won 3-0 to advance to face New York in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Last in the game, Di Vaio and Romero got into a shoving match with several Houston players. Romero appeared to elbow and kick Houston defender Kofi Sarkodie. EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Barring an injury, Victor Cruz is going to play for the New York Giants on Saturday in the annual preseason game against the Jets.Cruz, who has not played in a game since injuring a knee against Philadelphia in his sixth game in 2014, got through a week of practice without aggravating a groin injury that kept him out of preseason games against Miami and Buffalo.Coach Ben McAdoo said he planned to use Cruz early in the game.Im ready, Cruz said after practice on Thursday. Obviously its been a long time coming. I had a good week of practice, everything feels great so Im just excited to put that out there on the game field for the first time in a long time.Cruz said this is more than a preseason game to him, and there is some truth to that.General manager Jerry Reese said he wants to see the oft-injured Cruz play two preseason games.The Giants have a number of young receivers, led by Odell Beckham Jr. and second-round draft pick Sterling Shepard.Cruz could give Eli Manning another option if he can stay healthy, but if the 29-year-old cant stay on the field his place on the 53-man roster could be in jeopardy.This one is crossing so many hurdles, so many barriers, Cruz said. So many ups and downs that I had to face to get to this moment. Now, Im just ready to relax and go play some football again. Wholesale Venezuela Jerseys. To me, this game is bigger than just the game. Although its just a preseason game, for me, mentally and emotionally, physically, its more than just a football game.McAdoo said Cruz got through a three-hour practice on Wednesday in good shape.When he first got out here this week, he showed a burst and showed some acceleration, he can put his foot in the ground, McAdoo said. He had a really nice release on a slant, which reminded me of the Houston game a few years ago, so it is encouraging.McAdoo said Cruz showed some flashes of his best days early in training camp before the groin injury.Manning said it was good having Cruz back at practice, adding he looked fast, explosive and healthy.I think hes had a good understanding of the timing of this offense and when the ball is going to be coming his way, Manning said.Hes always been a special guy in the slot just having a good feel. Giving sticks and its been easy for me to read his body language when hes coming in and out of breaks. 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