Week 18, Antonio Gibson, Washington Football Team

Washington Football Team running back Antonio Gibson has been named the DC Touchdown Club Pro Football Player of the Week for the second time this season.

Gibson rushed for a career-high 146 yards and scored one touchdown, eclipsing the 1,000-yard mark for  the season, as Washington finished its season with a 22-7 victory over the New York Giants.

Gibson, in his second year as a pro, carried 21 times to finish the season with 1,037 yards. His 18-yard touchdown run midway through the fourth quarter clinched the victory after New York had scored its only touchdown of the game.

"I'm putting it out there on the field," Gibson said. "I feel like with what I'm doing, I can be in this league for a long time as I want to be one of the greats. I got a long road ahead of me. I've just got to keep pounding."

Week 17: Rodney McLeod, Philadelphia Eagles

Philadelphia Eagles safety Rodney McLeod, who played at DeMatha Catholic High School in Hyattsville, has been named the DC Touchdown Club Pro Football Player of the Week for the second consecutive week.

McLeod made a game-saving diving interception in the end zone in the final minute as the Eagles clinched a playoff berth with a 20-16 victory over the Washington Football Team.

McLeod also had five tackles and broke up a pass as the Eagles won for the sixth time in seven games.

"I wanted to just make sure I closed this game out the right way," McLeod said. "It felt good to be able to finish a game, make a big catch."

McLeod starred at DeMatha and the University of Virginia. He signed with the St. Louis Rams as an undrafted free agent and played there for four seasons, eventually becoming a starter. He joined the Eagles in 2016 as a free agent, signing a five-year, $35 million contract.

Week 16: Rodney McLeod, Philadelphia Eagles

Philadelphia Eagles safety Rodney McLeod, who played at DeMatha Catholic High School in Hyattsville, has been named the DC Touchdown Club Pro Football Player of the Week.

McLeod intercepted one pass and returned it 24 yards to set up the game’s first touchdown and later deflected another pass that a teammate returned for a touchdown as the Eagles moved closer to a playoff spot by beating the New York Giants, 34-7.

It was the sixth win in eight games for Philadelphia (8-7).

McLeod starred at DeMatha and the University of Virginia. He signed with the St. Louis Rams as an undrafted free agent and played there for four seasons, eventually becoming a starter. He joined the Eagles in 2016 as a free agent, signing a five-year, $35 million contract.

McLeod has excelled on and off the field in Philadelphia. He missed most of the 2018 season with a knee injury, but returned to make 76 tackles with two interceptions and two forced fumbles in 2019. Toward the end of last season, McLeod was selected the Eagles’ nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, but tore knee ligaments a few days later.

McLeod returned to the lineup after this season’s first month and Saturday delivered his biggest performance of the season. Following a lackluster first half that was tied 3-3. McLeod made his first interception of the season on the second play of the third quarter and returned the ball to the Giants’ 21-yard line, starting a string of four consecutive possessions in which the Eagles scored.

“It took a lot of hard work to put us back in this position that we are in today,” McLeod said. “But it’s far from over. All we can do is just take one step at a time. That’s been our mindset as we’ve been in this playoff mode. We do that and we’ll end up where we need to be.”

Week 15: Trevon Diggs, Dallas Cowboys

Dallas Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs has been named the DC Touchdown Club Pro Football Player of the Week for the second time this season.

Diggs, who played at the Avalon School in Wheaton, made his NFL-leading 10th interception of the season this past Sunday as the visiting Cowboys beat the New York Giants, 21-6. His 10 interceptions is the most by any Dallas player in 40 years; Everson Walls had 11 interceptions in 1981.

Diggs’ interception came midway through the fourth quarter as the Giants tried to get back in the game. Quarterback Mike Glennon (who played at Westfield High School in Chantilly) threw the ball up for grabs. Wide receiver Kenny Golladay tried to break up the play, but the Cowboys challenged the initial call of an incomplete pass and the play was overturned.

"On that play, the D-line did a great job because they had him," Diggs said. "I thought they were going to sack him and then he got out of the pocket and he just threw it up and he thought that his player was going to catch it. I knew I caught it. I had possession."

Diggs, whose older brother Stefon is a standout wide receiver with the Buffalo Bills, was a two-way star in high school. He played collegiately at the University of Alabama, where he switched full-time to defense as a sophomore. He was selected by Dallas in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

Week 14: John Johnson III, Cleveland Browns

Cleveland Browns safety John Johnson III, who attended Northwestern High School in Hyattsville, has been named the DC Touchdown Club Pro Football Player of the Week.

Johnson made a season-high seven tackles (six solo) and had half a sack as the Browns beat the Baltimore Ravens, 24-22, to improve to 7-6 and keep their playoff hopes alive.

A fifth-year pro, Johnson played at Boston College and was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft. He started 48 of the 51 games he played during four seasons for the Rams, twice making more than 100 tackles in a season and intercepting a career-high four passes in 2018 as Los Angeles advanced to Super Bowl LII.

Johnson signed a three-year, $33.75 million contract with the Browns this past offseason. In 13 games, he has made 54 tackles, intercepted three passes and forced one fumble as Cleveland tries to make consecutive playoff appearance for the first time in 32 years.

“You want to know what a wise man once told me? Every third down [is] like the Super Bowl, bruh,” Johnson said after signing with the Browns. “If you [are] the weak link on third down, you [are] not gonna last long in this league.

“You make the biggest plays on third down when the offense needs you. You may not make a spectacular play, but you at least gotta do your job.”

Week 13: Brian Johnson, Washington Football Team

Washington Football Team kicker Brian Johnson has been named the DC Touchdown Club Pro Football Player of the Week.

Johnson, a rookie who played at Gonzaga College High School and Virginia Tech, made his Washington debut most memorable as he kicked a 48-yard field goal with 37 seconds left to lift visiting Washington to a 17-15 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders.

“We put him in good position where it was right down his alley,” Washington Coach Ron Rivera said. “He hit that one pretty well.”

Johnson began the season on the Chicago Bears practice squad. He was signed by the New Orleans Saints on October 12 and played in four games, making all of his eight field goal attempts, including the go-ahead 33-yarder with 1:56 left in a 13-10 win over the Seattle Seahawks in Week 7, his New Orleans’ debut.

But Johnson also missed three point-after kicks, including two in a 23-21 loss to the Tennessee Titans in Week 10. He was cut by the Saints on November 18 and briefly returned to the Bears practice squad before Washington signed him on November 30.

Johnson became Washington’s fourth kicker this season, replacing fellow Virginia Tech alum Joey Slye, who pulled a hamstring in Washington’s previous game. Many of Washington’s players acknowledged they were unaware of their new kicker’s name before his game-winning heroics.

On Sunday, Johnson made both of his point-after kicks, but there was a lot more riding on the line when he walked onto the field to attempt his game-winning kick.

Johnson, who grew up in Bethesda, booted the game-winner, helping Washington win its fourth consecutive game.

“I actually grew up a Ravens fan,” Johnson said last week during a media availability after being signed. “Some of my family, they’re Washington fans, so I’ve already had a place in my heart for them too. It feels good to represent them.”

Week 12: Antonio Gibson, Washington Football Team

Washington Football Team running back Antonio Gibson has been named the DC Touchdown Club Pro Football Player of the Week.

Gibson rushed 29 times for a game-high 111 yards and caught a team-high seven passes for 35 yards as Washington won its third consecutive game, 17-15 over the Seattle Seahawks on Monday night.

Gibson, in his second season after playing at the University of Memphis, played a big role in the fourth quarter as Washington protected a 17-9 lead. Gibson carried eight times, picking up three first downs, during a drive that chewed up 8 ½ minutes.

“We were getting a good initial surge, a good push and kept them honest so they couldn’t stack the box,” Washington Coach Ron Rivera said.

Gibson, who is from Stockbridge, Georgia, began his career as a wide receiver, playing that position in high school and for two years at East Central Community College. He played wide receiver and running back at Memphis before being selected by Washington in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft. He led Washington with 795 yards rushing as a rookie in 2020, but had been hampered by a shin injury recently. This was his first 100-yard game this season.

Week 11: Terry McLaurin, Washington Football Team

Washington Football Team wide receiver Terry McLaurin has been named the DC Touchdown Club Pro Football Player of the Week.

McLaurin caught five passes for 103 yards and one touchdown as Washington won its second consecutive game, 27-21 over the Carolina Panthers.

It was the fourth 100-yard game this season for McLaurin, despite consistently being the focus of opposing defenses. For the season, he has 54 catches for 735 yards and five touchdowns, with 34 of his catches going for first downs.

McLaurin has delivered many key plays and came through again Sunday, pulling in a twisting, 12-yard touchdown catch with nine seconds left in the first half to tie the game 14-14 and give Washington the momentum.

“Not a lot of people know, [catching the ball in traffic] was probably one of my glaring weaknesses in my game, especially in college,” McLaurin said. “The coaching staff expressed that to me and I started to attempt to improve on that, day in and day out. It’s just an insatiable thing I had to create if I wanted to play at this level.

“Going into this, my third year, one of my goals was to be a better contested ball catcher. When you have those opportunities, with the ball in the air and you can come down with it, it just gives a lot of confidence and energy to your quarterback, your offense and your team. I think it’s something I’m always constantly working on. I’m trying to put myself in position to make those plays with my hands and trust them and come down with the play. It’s exciting. I just hope I can put the work in to make sure it keeps continuing.”

Week 10: Stefon Diggs, Buffalo Bills

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs has been named the DC Touchdown Club Pro Football Player of the Week.

Diggs, who starred at Good Counsel High School and the University of Maryland, caught eight passes for a season-high 162 yards and one touchdowns as the Bills beat the New York Jets, 45-17.

“It was good to get Stef going,” Bills Coach Sean McDermott said. “He gives us a ton of energy.

“He’s an elite receiver for a reason.”

Diggs, 27, is in his second season with the Bills. He led the NFL with 127 catches for 1,535 yards last season, with eight touchdown catches and earning first-team All-Pro honors. That came after five seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, who selected Diggs in the fifth round of the 2015 NFL Draft.

Week 9: J.C. Jackson, New England Patriots

New England Patriots cornerback J.C. Jackson has been named the DC Touchdown Club Pro Football Player of the Week for the second time this season.

Jackson, who played at the University of Maryland, was sensational this past Sunday. He intercepted two passes, returning one 88 yards for a touchdown as the Patriots beat the Carolina Panthers, 24-6. According to Pro Football Focus, Jackson allowed just one catch for two yards.

“That was my first career touchdown in the NFL,” Jackson said. “I need to get more of those.”

Undrafted coming out of Maryland in 2018 with one season of eligibility remaining, Jackson quickly established himself as one of the top defensive backs in the league. He had 17 interceptions in his first three seasons, finishing second in the NFL with a career-high nine interceptions in 2020. Jackson is second in the NFL with five interceptions this season.

Jackson took advantage of the Patriots rotating cornerbacks, allowing Jackson some opportunities to rest following a week in which he missed practice because he was ill and wondered whether he would recover enough to be on the field Sunday.

“I was sick as” can be, Jackson said. “I was about to die. I couldn’t taste. I had strep throat. I thought it was over. I thought I wasn’t going to play this week, to be honest.”

Week 8: Ty Johnson, New York Jets

New York Jets running back Ty Johnson, who played at the University of Maryland, has been named the DC Touchdown Club Pro Football Player of the Week.

Johnson made a highlight-reel play, catching a short pass, shedding two would-be tacklers and then bouncing off a third defender while managing to stay in bounds for a 19-yard touchdown that sparked the Jets’ fourth-quarter comeback for a surprising 34-31 win over the Cincinnati Bengals.

It was the first touchdown catch of the season for Johnson, who finished with five catches for 71 yards. He also rushed four times for 15 yards.

Johnson graduated from Maryland in 2018 third in school history in all-purpose yardage. After not being invited to the NFL Draft Combine, he wowed scouts at Maryland’s Pro Day and was taken by the Detroit Lions in the sixth round of the 2019 NFL Draft.

In October 2020, Johnson was waived by the Lions, but signed with the Jets the next day. He settled into a role as the Jets’ third-down running back and also had a breakout game as he rushed for 104 yards and one touchdown in a loss to the Las Vegas Raiders.

Week 7: Darnell Savage Jr., Green Bay Packers

Green Bay Packers free safety Darnell Savage Jr., who played at the University of Maryland, has been named the DC Touchdown Club Pro Football Player of the Week.

Savage made five tackles and broke up one pass Sunday as Green Bay limited the Washington Football Team to a season-low 10 points in the Packers’ 24-10 victory.

It was another strong performance for the 2019 first-round draft pick, who already has distinguished himself. Savage led the Packers with four interceptions last season, all in the final six games.

Savage was uncertain to play Sunday after sustaining a concussion the previous week, but his role against Washington was especially important given that the Packers had other injuries in their secondary and started two rookie cornerbacks. But there were few issues on the defensive side of the ball for the Packers, who held Washington without a touchdown on five trips inside the Green Bay 35-yard line in the second half.

Week 6: Tress Way, Washington Football Team

Washington Football Team punter Tress Way has been named the DC Touchdown Club Pro Football Player of the Week.

Way punted four times for an average of 58 yards this past Sunday in a 31-13 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Twice he pinned Kansas City deep in its own territory, with the Chiefs beginning one drive at their own 5-yard line (following Way’s season-best 66-yard punt) and another from their 4.

For the season, Way ranks seventh in the NFL, averaging 49.7 yards per punt.

Now in his eighth season with Washington, Way was named to the Pro Bowl in 2019.

Week 5: Trevon Diggs, Dallas Cowboys

Dallas Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs has been named the DC Touchdown Club Pro Football Player of the Week.

Diggs, who played at the Avalon School in Wheaton, snagged his NFL-leading sixth interception, made five tackles and broke up two passes as the Cowboys improved to 4-1 with a 44-20 victory over the New York Giants.

Diggs has at least one interception in each game this season and is only the fourth player since the NFL-AFL merger in 1970 to have six interceptions in the first five games of a season.

“The ball goes up in the air and he’s coming down with it,” Cowboys Coach Mike McCarthy said after Sunday’s game. “I don’t think it’s a 50-50 ball any more. His confidence is off the charts. The way he goes after the ball, it’s unique.”

Diggs, whose older brother Stefon is a standout wide receiver with the Buffalo Bills, was a two-way star in high school. He played collegiately at the University of Alabama, where he switched full-time to defense as a sophomore. He was selected by Dallas in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

“He’s so good,” Fox analyst Troy Aikman said after Sunday’s game. “He went through growing pains last year, like a lot of rookies do. … But he’s got such good ball skills.

“Deion Sanders is only the greatest who has ever done it, so I don’t want to get too far ahead of ourselves, but I see a lot of the same similarities because of his speed, because of his ball skills, the way that he is able to bait receivers. You can do that in college but rarely does it translate to the NFL.”

Week 4: Taylor Heinicke, Washington Football Team

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Washington Football Team quarterback Taylor Heinicke has been named the DC Touchdown Club Pro Football Player of the Week.

Heinicke engineered his second fourth-quarter comeback this season, completing 23 of 33 passes for 290 yards and three touchdowns, including the game-winning 30-yard score to J.D. McKissic with 33 seconds left as Washington rallied to beat the Atlanta Falcons, 34-30.

Heinicke threw touchdown passes of 17 and 33 yards to Terry McLaurin. He then led Washington on the decisive drive, buying time on the winning play before throwing across his body to McKissic. McKissic outran one defender to the edge and raced down the sideline before leaping across the goal line and capping an incredible return for Heinicke, who grew up in the Atlanta suburbs.

“He’s not the most orthodox, okay?” Washington Coach Ron Rivera said in a jubilant locker room as he presented a game ball to Henecke. “But he does fight. He does play. He did come home and he did win a game.”

The rally continued a remarkable ascent for Heinecke. Undrafted out of Old Dominion University, he had been with the Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots, Houston Texans, Carolina Panthers and the XFL’s St. Louis BattleHawks, but was out of football and working on his college degree when he was signed to the Washington practice squad in December 2020.

Heinecke began this season as the team’s backup, but moved into the starter’s role after Ryan Fitzpatrick was injured in the season opener. Heinecke has since led Washington to a pair of comeback victories.

“He’s got tremendous ability to deliver, hats off to him,” Rivera later said during his postgame news conference. “He’s a courageous dude who plays all out. His teammates, they feed off his energy, especially on offense. They get him and understand that no play is dead. … Taylor is one of those dynamic players who knows how to make plays.”

Week 3: DJ Moore, Carolina Panthers

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Carolina Panthers wide receiver DJ Moore has been named the DC Touchdown Club Pro Football Player of the Week.

Moore, who played at the University of Maryland and was the DC Touchdown Club 2018 Washington Metro College Player of the Year, caught eight passes for 126 yards as the Panthers beat the Houston Texans, 24-9, this past Thursday night.

Moore played at Maryland from 2015 to 2017 and in 2017 was named the Big Ten Conference Receiver of the Year. He left Maryland after his junior season and was selected in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft by the Panthers.

Carolina exercised its option to keep Moore under contract through the 2022 season and he is off to a blistering start this season, with 22 catches for 285 yards in just three games. Impressively, 16 of those passes have gone for first downs.

Week 2: J.C. Jackson, New England Patriots

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New England Patriots cornerback J.C. Jackson has been named the DC Touchdown Club Pro Football Player of the Week.

Jackson, who played at the University of Maryland, intercepted two passes in the first half as the Patriots built a lead and went on for a 25-6 win over the New York Jets this past Sunday.

Undrafted coming out of Maryland in 2018 with one season of eligibility remaining, Jackson quickly established himself as one of the top defensive backs in the league. He had 17 interceptions in his first three seasons, finishing second in the NFL with a career-high nine interceptions in 2020.

On Sunday against the Jets, Jackson intercepted rookie Zach Wilson once in the first quarter and again in the second quarter as the Patriots built a 13-3 halftime lead and held the Jets without a touchdown.

“You make plays and your teammates feed off you, that’s what defense is all about,” Jackson said in a postgame news conference. “Don’t wait for anyone to make plays. Go out there and set the tone.

“I was just in the right position to make plays. That’s what I do.”

Week 1: Rob Havenstein, Los Angeles Rams

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Los Angeles Rams offensive tackle Rob Havenstein has been named the DC Touchdown Club Pro Football Player of the Week.

Havenstein, who is from New Market, Md., played at Linganore High School, where he led the Lancers to the Maryland 3A championship in 2009. He then starred at the University of Wisconsin, before being selected by the Rams in the second round of the 2015 draft.

Havenstein is the Rams’ starting right tackle, anchoring the offensive line for one of the NFL’s most prolific teams. The Rams opened their season with a 34-14 win over the Chicago Bears this past Sunday in which they averaged 7.7 yards per offensive play and allowed just one sack.