Week 15: Jamie Gillan, New York Giants

New York Giants punter Jamie Gillan, who played at Leonardtown High School in Southern Maryland, has been named the DC Touchdown Club Pro Player of the Week after his kicks played a key role in helping the Giants beat the Washington Commanders, 20-12, to move into solid position to earn a playoff berth.

Gillan punted five times in the game for an average of 42.3 yards. Most importantly, three of those punts were downed inside the 20-yard line, repeatedly putting the Commanders in bad field position.

Early in the second quarter, Gillan’s 38-yard punt was fair caught at the 18-yard line. Two plays later, the Giants forced a fumble and returned it for a touchdown.

It was just another successful night for Gillan, who took a most unusual route to the NFL. He grew up in Scotland but moved to Southern Maryland when he father, a member of the Royal Air Force, relocated for work. Gillan, who played rugby in Scotland, joined the Raiders’ football team midway through his first season there and cemented himself as the team’s punter.

Gillan then was set to attend Bowie State and play for the Bulldogs, but a friend saw a Facebook ad that Arkansas-Pine Bluff was in desperate need of a punter as the season approached. The friend replied with Gillan’s highlight tape and soon the school phoned to offer a scholarship.

After a successful collegiate career, Gillan signed as an undrafted free agent with the Cleveland Browns and earned a roster spot. Gillan played three seasons for the Browns, was cut and joined the Buffalo Bills practice squad and this season earned the Giants’ punting position.

Week 14: Ja'Whaun Bentley, New England Patriots

New England Patriots linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley, who starred at DeMatha Catholic High School in Hyattsville, Maryland, has been named the DC Touchdown Club Pro Football Player of the Week for the second time this season after leading the Patriots to a 27-13 victory over the Arizona Cardinals on Monday night.

Bentley made a game-high 10 tackles and the Patriots (5-4) were dominant defensively as they improved to 7-6. It was Bentley’s fourth game this season with 10 tackles.

Coming out of DeMatha, Bentley was the DC Touchdown Club 2014 Maryland High School Player of the Year. He was a four-year starter at Purdue University and was selected by the Patriots in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL Draft.

Bentley has spent his entire pro career with New England, helping the team win Super Bowl LIII after the 2018 season. He was re-signed to a two-year, $6 million contract this past offseason.

Week 13: Stefon Diggs, Buffalo Bills

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs has been named the DC Touchdown Club Pro Football Player of the Week for the third time this season after catching seven passes for 92 yards and one touchdown as the Bills beat the New England Patriot, 24-10, this past Thursday night.

Diggs, who starred at Good Counsel High School in Olney and at the University of Maryland, ranks among the NFL leaders in most receiving categories, including catches (second in the NFL with 91), yards (third with 1,202) and touchdowns (third with 10). He has scored touchdowns in three consecutive games for the second time this season.

Diggs entered the NFL in 2015, drafted in the fifth round by the Minnesota Vikings. After five seasons in Minnesota, he was traded to Buffalo prior to the 2020 season and has been selected to the Pro Bowl each of the past two seasons.

The Bills are now 9-3 this season and rank second in the NFL in total offense (410.8 yards per game) and are tied for second in points scored.

Week 12: Daron Payne, Washington Commanders

Washington Commanders defensive tackle Daron Payne has been named the DC Touchdown Club Pro Football Player of the Week after another strong performance that included a key role in the game-saving play as the Commanders won for the sixth time in seven games, 19-13 over the visiting Atlanta Falcons on Sunday.

Payne, who was selected in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft, is in his fifth professional season. He has teamed with fellow University of Alabama former standout Jonathan Allen to create a formidable presence on the interior of the defensive line, which has been one of the team’s strengths during its current run.

On Sunday, Payne made six tackles, including two tackles for loss. But his biggest play came with one minute remaining after Atlanta had driven inside the Washington 5-yard line. On second-and-goal from the 4, Payne reached high with his left hand and tipped quarterback Marcus Mariota’s pass. Cornerback Kendall Fuller – last week’s DC Touchdown Club Pro Player of the Week – made a diving interception of the fluttering pass in the end zone, allowing the Commanders to keep the lead and all but run out the clock.

“After the season, we always talk to the coaches and [last season] they emphasized to me that I needed to work on finishing,” Payne said. “So this offseason I was just always trying to give a little extra burst to the quarterback and finish drills a little harder and I’ve been finishing way better than I had.”

For the season, Payne has made 47 tackles and is tied with Allen for second on the team with 6 ½ sacks, just behind Montez Sweat’s seven sacks.

“Daron is playing very good football,” Commanders Coach Ron Rivera said. “As a unit, you see the things they’re all doing and the way they are working together. It’s great to see. He and Jonathan are a great tandem. Guys like that are space eaters that can impact a game.”

Week 11: Kendall Fuller, Washington Commanders

Washington Commanders cornerback Kendall Fuller, who starred at Good Counsel High School in Olney, has been named the DC Touchdown Club Pro Football Player of the Week after his first professional touchdown sparked the Commanders to their fifth win in six games, a 23-10 victory over the Houston Texans on Sunday.

After Washington went three-and-out on the game’s initial possession, Fuller quickly put the Commanders in the lead on Houston’s first offensive snap. He stepped in front of a wide receiver, intercepted a pass and returned it 37 yards for a touchdown and a 7-0 lead that Washington never relinquished.

It was Fuller’s 12th career interception. He also made four tackles Sunday.

Buoyed by a strong defensive effort, the visiting Commanders allowed just six yards of total offense in the first half, led 20-0 at halftime and were never threatened.

“Defense played great,” quarterback Taylor Heinecke said. “We started off the day with a pick-six. It doesn’t get much better than that.”

Defensive linemen Jonathan Allen, Montez Sweat and Daron Payne combined for five sacks and safety Darrick Forest added an interception.

“The defense is really gelling,” Coach Ron Rivera said. “They’re playing at the tempo we need them to play. They’re opportunistic and making plays when we need them to.”

Week 10: Terry McLaurin, Washington Commanders

Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin, who set season-highs with eight catches for 128 yards in leading the Commanders to a 32-21 victory over the previously undefeated Philadelphia Eagles on Monday night, has been named the DC Touchdown Club Pro Football Player of the Week for the second time this season.

“We’ve got great veterans, great leadership and we’ve got a great group of young guys in that locker room,” McLaurin said in an interview on ESPN’s SportsCenter. “We’re really resilient. We trust each other. And we put in a lot of work with each other since the spring and OTAs, to have the opportunity to come out on Monday Night Football and show what we’re about and take it to a really good football team.

“I said in the locker room, this is what happens when we set the tone. We have a chance to win a lot of football games. I’m so proud of the guys in that locker room and the way we stuck together today.”

While Washington relied on a steady running game to maintain possession and keep the Philadelphia offense on the sideline, McLaurin also turned in a number of key catches. Five of his catches went for first downs; four coming on third downs and a 41-yard catch that was the Washington’s longest play of the night.

“He makes plays time after time,” Washington offensive lineman Charles Leno said. “He’s still underrated in my opinion, across the league.”

Week 9: Ja'Whaun Bentley, New England Patriots

New England Patriots linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley, who starred at DeMatha Catholic High School in Hyattsville, Maryland, has been named the DC Touchdown Club Pro Football Player of the Week after leading the Patriots to a 26-3 victory over the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday.

Bentley made nine tackles and had one sack as the Patriots (5-4) were dominant defensively and moved above .500 for the first time this season.

“We had a lot of big plays defensively,” New England Coach Bill Belichick said.

“Ja’Whaun does a great job for us. His communication and ability to run the defense and control the front and make calls – we had different formations that caused us to check things. Everybody has a ton of respect for his preparation and his mindset. He brings it every day, really every play.”

Coming out of DeMatha, Bentley was the DC Touchdown Club 2014 Maryland High School Player of the Year. He was a four-year starter at Purdue University and was selected by the Patriots in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL Draft.

Bentley has spent his entire pro career with New England, helping the team win Super Bowl LIII after the 2018 season. He was re-signed to a two-year, $6 million contract this past offseason.

Last week, Bentley had his second career interception in a 22-17 victory over the New York Jets and he has a pair of 10-tackle games this season.

“Bent is a good football player – whatever we ask him to do, he does really well,” Belichick said. “We’ve asked him to play more on the end of the line than we have in the past and he’s played well there and rushed the passer. Glad we have him, glad we resigned him.” 

Week 8: Taylor Heinecke, Washington Commanders

Washington Commanders quarterback Taylor Heinecke has been named the DC Touchdown Club Pro Football Player of the Week after leading the Commanders to a late rally to beat the Indianapolis Colts, 17-16, this past Sunday.

Heinecke, making his second start this season, shook off a slow start and made several key plays late in the fourth quarter. He completed 23 of 31 passes for 279 yards and one touchdown. The Commanders trailed 16-7 before scoring 10 points in the final five minutes.

The Commanders, who evened their record at 4-4, drove 89 yards for the winning score as Heinecke directed the game-winning drive. On fourth-and-1, he scrambled to buy time and threw a 12-yard pass to Curtis Samuel. Later, Heinecke used his feet to keep the play alive and improvised, throwing a 33-yard pass to Terry McLaurin, who wrestled the ball away from five-time Pro Bowler Stephon Gilmore.

“Terry was actually a decoy on that play based on the coverage we got,” Heinecke said. “Then it turned into a scramble drill. Before I got out of the pocket, I saw the pocket was very clean, so I stood back there and let the receivers do their thing and get open. I looked back to the left and I saw Terry get behind Gilmore and said, ‘Hey, let’s give it a shot.’ He continues to make the plays.”

That moved the ball to the Colts’ 1-yard line and Heinecke lunged into the end zone on a quarterback sneak on the ensuing play for the winning score. Heinecke was 5 of 5 for 76 yards on the drive.

It was the third consecutive game that the Commanders have rallied in the second half to win. Carson Wentz led the comeback in a 12-7 win over the Chicago Bears, then Heinecke took over last week after Wentz was sidelined by a broken finger and led the Commanders to a 23-21 win over the Green Bay Packers.

Week 7: Terry McLaurin, Washington Commanders

Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin, who caught a long touchdown pass and late in the game made two key catches for first downs, has been named the DC Touchdown Club Pro Football Player of the Week after helping the Commanders earn their second consecutive win, 23-21 over the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.

“Our playmakers stepped up and made plays, starting with Terry,” Washington Coach Ron Rivera said. “Terry had a tremendous game, did some big things.”

McLaurin, in his fourth year with the Commanders, signed a $71 million contract extension this past offseason. But the beginning of the season had been a bit of a struggle. After consecutive seasons with more than 1,000 yards receiving. McLaurin had just one touchdown and one 100-yard game in the season’s first six games.

On Sunday, however, McLaurin came through when Washington needed it most. His 37-yard touchdown catch early in the third quarter gave the Commanders their first lead, 17-14. Later, nursing a 23-21 lead and trying to run out the clock, McLaurin caught a 14-yard pass for a first down. Then, on third-and-9, McLaurin made a difficult 12-yard catch, allowing Washington to run off more time and leave Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers just 29 seconds on the Packers’ final possession.

McLaurin finished the game with five catches for 73 yards.

“Third down and you know who is on the other side of that field – you give him the ball with too much time and he’s going to put his team in a situation to make a play to win the game,” McLaurin said. “We knew we needed a first down. When I heard the play call, I knew it was going to come to me. That was a moment I was extremely happy for and confident about. That’s what you want as a player when you put the work in and put the time in. The reason why you grind is to be in those moments.

“I want those moments. I don’t think it just happens. You have to put the work in. You’ve got to earn that respect from your teammates and you need to go out there and make the play.”

Week 6: Brian Robinson Jr., Washington Commanders

Washington Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr., who was shot twice in the leg during an attempted carjacking less than two months ago, has been named the DC Touchdown Club Pro Football Player of the Week after rushing 17 times for 60 yards and scoring his first career touchdown as the Commanders beat the Chicago Bears, 12-7, this past Thursday night.

Robinson, a rookie who was selected in the third round of the NFL Draft, was on track to be the Commanders’ starting running back in the preseason. But on August 28, Robinson was shot twice in the leg when two men attempted to carjack Robinson after he left a restaurant in Northeast Washington.

Robinson missed the season’s first four games while recovering and made his debut two weeks ago against the Tennessee Titans, rushing nine times for 22 yards.

Robinson played a larger role against Chicago, making his first career start. His one-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter gave Washington a 12-7 lead that it did not relinquish as it snapped a four-game losing streak.

“I put so much work in my whole life, just to make it to the NFL and to have the opportunity I had tonight is great,” Robinson said after the game. “I’m so blessed. Thank you to my coaches for putting me in position to succeed.”

Robinson was excited as he walked off the field, but afterward said he was unsure what he will do with the football from his first career touchdown.

“I don’t know where I’m going to put it yet,” Robinson said. “I’m going to hold it real tight, I know that.”

Week 5: Stefon Diggs, Buffalo Bills

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs has been named the DC Touchdown Club Pro Football Player of the Week for the second time this season after catching eight passes for 102 yards and one touchdown as the Bills routed the Pittsburgh Steelers, 38-3, on Sunday.

It was the third 100-yard game this season for Diggs, who starred at Good Counsel High School and the University of Maryland. He ranks among the NFL leaders with 39 catches (third in the league) for 508 yards (fourth) and five touchdown catches (first).

Diggs entered the NFL in 2015, drafted in the fifth round by the Minnesota Vikings. After five seasons in Minnesota, he was traded to Buffalo prior to the 2020 season and has been selected to the Pro Bowl each of the past two seasons.

The Bills are now 4-1 this season and leading the NFL in total offense (440 yards per game) and passing offense (yards per game).

“We’ve been trying to preach positive energy and pushing that into the universe,” Diggs said. “When good things happen, we’re happy. When bad things happen, it’s ‘Okay, we’ll figure it out and make a way.’ “

Week 4: Jonathan Allen, Washington Commanders

Washington Commanders defensive tackle Jonathan Allen, who starred at Stone Bridge High School in Ashburn, has been named the DC Touchdown Club Pro Football Player of the Week after making eight tackles with four tackles for loss and one sack in the Commanders 25-10 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday.

Allen, in his sixth professional season, was taken in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft after a sensational college career at the University of Alabama. He won several individual awards following the 2016 season, including the SEC Defensive Player of the Year. That followed a standout prep career in which Allen was named the DC Touchdown Club 2013 Virginia High School Player of the Year.

While the Commanders have struggled to a 1-3 start this season, Allen’s play has been a bright spot.

“A loss is a loss,” Allen said in the locker room after the game. “Obviously you want to beat the Cowboys, but it counts for one loss in the stat book just like every other loss. It sucks. But we’re going to move forward.”

Week 3: Mack Hollins, Las Vegas Raiders

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Mack Hollins, who starred at Wootton High School in Rockville, has been named the DC Touchdown Club Pro Football Player of the Week after catching eight passes for 158 yards and one touchdown in the Raiders’ 24-22 loss to the Tennessee Titans on Sunday.

Hollins set career-highs for catches and yardage and made a pair of clutch plays late in the game as the Raiders tried to force overtime. On fourth and 15, Hollins made an outstanding over-the-shoulder catch for a 48-yard gain to keep a drive alive. He later caught a nine-yard touchdown pass while being closely defended on fourth-and-goal. That brought the Raiders within 24-22, but a two-point conversion attempt was unsuccessful.

Hollins also made a nice play earlier in the game to down a punt at the Titans’ 2-yard line.

“Mack always works hard,” Raiders Coach Josh McDaniels said. “I think that’s why he was voted as a [team] captain. His effort and the way he performs has been a bright spot for us, for sure.”

Hollins has worked hard for everything he has achieved throughout his football career. He graduated Wootton High in 2012 without any scholarship offers and spent a post-graduate year at Fork Union Military Academy. That yielded an opportunity to walk on at the University of North Carolina, where he first earned attention as a special teams standout before blossoming as a wide receiver.

Hollins was selected in the fourth round of the 2017 Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles and played there until he was waived late in the 2019 season. He was claimed by the Miami Dolphins, where he played until signing with the Raiders as a free agent this past offseason.

Week 2: Stefon Diggs, Buffalo Bills

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs has been named the DC Touchdown Club Pro Football Player of the Week after catching 12 passes for 148 yards and tying his career-high with three touchdowns as the Bills routed the Tennessee Titans, 41-7, on Monday night.

Diggs, who starred at Good Counsel High School and the University of Maryland, is just the second receiver in Bills’ history to have consecutive 100-yard receiving games to start a season, joining Andre Reed. Diggs caught a four-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter and had touchdown catches of 46 and 14 yards in the third quarter.

“He did a great job getting open, making plays, making catches,” Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen said. “That long one was a great catch. He is what he is, that’s Stefon Diggs. We know he is one of the greatest, if not the greatest, receiver in the game right now. I trust him implicitly. I love that guy. He works his tail off.”

Diggs entered the NFL in 2015, drafted in the fifth round by the Minnesota Vikings. After five seasons in Minnesota, he was traded to Buffalo prior to the 2020 season and has been selected to the Pro Bowl each of the past two seasons. Both Allen and Diggs credited their familiarity with each other for helping them succeed.

“It’s part of my job, as a leader on this team and as one of the captains,” Diggs said. “I feel like getting us started, getting us going, keeping us going and [having] good body language. At times I want it so bad, but keeping that good body language [is important] when things don’t go right and keep it chugging.”

Week 1: Jahan Dotson, Washington Commanders

Washington Commanders wide receiver Jahan Dotson has been named the DC Touchdown Club Pro Football Player of the Week after a sensational debut that saw him catch two touchdown passes, including the game-winning 24-yard score with 1 minute 46 seconds remaining as the Commanders beat the Jacksonville Jaguars, 28-22.

The Commanders’ first-round draft pick this past spring, Dotson enjoyed an impactful first game. He caught a seven-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter that gave the Commanders a 14-3 lead.

After Jacksonville had surged in front, the Commanders rallied and were in position to take the lead. Facing third-and-8 from the Jaguars’ 24-yard line, Dotson beat his defender to the outside and made a terrific catch in the end zone to become the first rookie in franchise history with multiple touchdown catches in the season opener.

“That’s the young man we really felt good about and that’s why we did what we did” drafting him 16th overall, Washington Coach Ron Rivera said. “We’re very fortunate to have a young man with that skill set.”

Coming out of high school where he also starred in track, Dotson originally committed to UCLA before changing his mind and accepting a scholarship offer from Penn State. He had 91 catches for 1,182 yards and 12 touchdowns last season to finish his career among the school’s all-time leaders in several receiving categories.

That success continued Sunday in his first NFL game, though Dotson said he did not get carried away.

“We’ve got a lot of things planned for the future, a lot of guys who can make plays,” he said. “We’re excited to get this one under our belt. … There is so much more than we can do.”

About the Military Bowl Foundation

The Military Bowl Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that operates premier events in the National Capital Region to benefit our nation’s service members. Originally formed to create the region’s first-ever college football postseason bowl game, the Foundation now not only runs the Military Bowl presented by Peraton but additionally operates the DC Touchdown Club and Patriot Point, a retreat for
recovering service members, their families and caregivers on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. The Foundation hosts engaging events throughout the year to raise money and awareness for military service members, directly impacting those who give so much of themselves for the country.

About the DC Touchdown Club

The DC Touchdown Club honors the best in Washington Metro football, with year-round events highlighted by an annual awards dinner. Operated by the Military Bowl Foundation, the Club promotes the game of football, hosts entertaining social events and generates a significant philanthropic impact for Patriot Point. To learn more about the DC Touchdown Club, visit dctouchdownclub.com or follow DC Touchdown Club on Twitter and Instagram @DCTouchdownClub and like DC Touchdown Club on Facebook.