Week 16: Chad Ryland, New England Patriots

New England Patriots kicker Chad Ryland, a rookie who played at the University of Maryland, has been named the DC Touchdown Club Pro Football Player of the Week after making a game-winning, 56-yard field goal with two seconds remaining as the visiting Patriots beat the Denver Broncos, 26-23, on Sunday night.

Ryland had missed a 47-yard field goal attempt late in the first half, as well as an extra point attempt that clanged off the upright. It has been a challenging season for the fourth-round draft pick, who entered the game 13 of 20 on field goal attempts.

But he remained confident in his ability and came through when it was needed most.

“Oftentimes, you find the greatest treasure in the darkest caves,” Ryland told reporters after the game. “I’ve obviously been struggling a little bit this year and I was really, really fortunate to be surrounded by a team that believes in me.

“That helped me continue to move forward with my process and then go ahead and knock the last one down with a good snap, protection, and then hold by Bryce [Baringer].”

Week 14: Deonte Banks, New York Giants

New York Giants cornerback Deonte Banks, who starred at the University of Maryland, has been named the DC Touchdown Club Pro Football Player of the Week after making a career-high 12 tackles as the Giants rallied to beat the Green Bay Packers, 24-22, on Monday Night Football.

Banks had one tackle for a loss and also broke up a critical pass that forced the Packers to settle for a field goal. His 12 tackles, which included nine solo tackles, were nearly double his previous career-high of seven.

The Giants selected Banks in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft and he has blossomed as the season progressed, with 44 tackles and two interceptions.

Week 13: Nick Cross, Indianapolis Colts

Indianapolis Colts defensive back Nick Cross, who starred at DeMatha Catholic High School in Hyattsville and at the University of Maryland, has been named the DC Touchdown Club Pro Football Player of the Week after the best game of his young career lifted the Colts to a 31-28 win over the Tennessee Titans on Sunday.

Cross made a career-high five tackles and came up with the biggest play of the game late in the third quarter with Indianapolis trailing, 17-16.

As the Titans lined up in punt formation, Cross broke through the line of scrimmage and blocked a punt that teammate Grant Stuard scooped up the loose ball and returned it 18 yards for a momentum-turning touchdown.

It was the kind of big play that the Colts have been looking for Cross to deliver, since selecting him in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft.

Week 12: DJ Moore, Chicago Bears

Chicago Bears wide receiver DJ Moore, who starred at the University of Maryland, has been named the DC Touchdown Club Pro Football Player of the Week for the second time this season after his big night helped the Bears pull out a 12-10 win over the Minnesota Vikings on Monday Night Football.

Moore caught a career-high 11 passes for 114 yards, including several key catches that gained first downs. His 36-yard catch on third-and-10 with one minute left put the Bears in position to kick the game-winning field goal.

“He’s a great route runner. The way he played today, the way he took a lot of those short passes and took them for eight or nine yards at a time, those aren’t easy,” Bears Coach Matt Eberflus said. “He’s a heck of an athlete and a better teammate.”

For the season, Moore has 70 catches for 1,003 yards, fifth-most in the NFL this season and his fourth 1,000-yard season in six years as a pro.

Week 11: Joshua Paschal, Detroit Lions

Detroit Lions defensive lineman Joshua Paschal, who starred at Good Counsel High School in Olney, has been named the DC Touchdown Club Pro Football Player of the Week after helping the Lions to a come-from-behind, 31-26 win over the Chicago Bears this past Sunday.

Paschal, who was the Lions’ second-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft after a standout career at the University of Kentucky, made a career-high five tackles as the Lions overcame an offensive performance that included four turnovers.

Paschal had missed five games earlier this season because of a knee injury, returning to action Oct. 22 at Baltimore.

“It’s good to have him back,” Lions Coach Dan Campbell recently told reporters. “He has versatility because he can play the big end, he can play three-technique, he can play one of the outside backers if needed. So he brings A, a motor, B, he’s got power – he’s explosive and he’s a pretty headsy player. It brings a little more ammo to the front that he’s playing pretty good right now. It’s certainly going to help us.”

Week 10: Sam Howell, Washington Commanders

Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell has been named the DC Touchdown Club Pro Football Player of the Week for the second week in a row.

Howell completed 29 of 44 passes for 312 yards and three touchdowns without an interception and was especially sharp in the fourth quarter as the Commanders twice drove for touchdowns. Howell’s 35-yard touchdown pass to Dyami Brown with 1 minute 2 seconds left tied the game before the Commanders fell on the game’s final play to Seattle, 29-26.

It was Howell’s fourth 300-yard game this season.

Howell was Washington’s fifth-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, following a standout career at the University of North Carolina where he set several school passing and also was named the most valuable player of the 2019 Military Bowl. Howell played only in the Commanders’ final game of the 2022 season, but entered this season atop the depth chart and has thrown for 2,783 yards and 17 touchdowns with nine interceptions in nine games.

Week 9: Sam Howell, Washington Commanders

photo courtesy washington commanders

Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell has been named the DC Touchdown Club Pro Football Player of the Week after leading the visiting Commanders to a 20-17 victory over the New England Patriots this past Sunday.

Howell, in his first season as a starter, completed 29 of 45 passes for 325 yards and one touchdown, a well-thrown 33-yard pass to Jahan Dotson on the Commanders’ first possession of the second half, tying the game 17-17.

It was Howell’s third 300-yard game this season, but the first that resulted in a victory.

“I don’t play this game for numbers or stats or anything like that – I play to win,” Howell said during a postgame interview. “That’s the mindset of our entire team. No matter how many yards I throw for or how many touchdowns, it’s all about at the end of the day did we find a way to win. I thought offensively we did some good things.”

Howell was especially efficient on third down, helping the Commanders convert 9 of 17 third-down opportunities. That included a 24-yard scramble on a third-and-23 play late in the first half, which led to perhaps the one play Howell would like to have over. His biggest mistake of the game came when he was intercepted in the end zone just before halftime.

“With the exception of the interception in the first half, he played the type of game we think he is capable of,” Washington Coach Ron Rivera said. “He made some smart decisions. … We’re still growing and developing with the guy, but he did a good job and led us to the victory.”

Howell was Washington’s fifth-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, following a standout career at the University of North Carolina where he set several school passing and also was named the most valuable player of the 2019 Military Bowl. Howell played only in the Commanders’ final game of the 2022 season, but entered this season atop the depth chart and has thrown for 2,471 yards and 14 touchdowns with nine interceptions in nine games.

Week 8: Zion Johnson, Los Angeles Chargers

Los Angeles Chargers offensive lineman Zion Johnson, who played at Riverdale Baptist School in Upper Marlboro, has been named the DC Touchdown Club Pro Football Player of the Week after the Chargers snapped a two-game losing streak with a 30-13 victory over the Chicago Bears on Sunday night.

Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert was not sacked once as the team hit the 30-point mark for the first team since the season opener.

Johnson, who was selected by the Chargers in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, has started every game of his pro career. He played right guard last season but has moved to left guard this season.

“I think the sky is the limit [for the Los Angeles offensive line], we have a lot of talented guys,” Johnson said prior to the season. “The main thing for us is honing in on details and make sure when it comes to knowing the scheme, the technique and that edge in our mind, that mental and physical toughness.”

Johnson, who grew up in Bowie, was a bit of a late bloomer when it comes to football. He did not play the sport during his first two years of high school, taking it up only at the suggestion of a bus driver who took him home after school each day.

But after trading in high school golf for a football uniform, Johnson developed enough to play at Davidson College. He was an all-conference lineman at Davidson then transferred to Boston College, where he continued to mature into a standout lineman. He also excelled in the classroom, earning a place on the Military Bowl STEM Scholar-Athlete Program, continuing on the path that he had charted before football, when he wanted to be an engineer.

Week 7: Jordan Addison, Minnesota Vikings

Minnesota Vikings rookie wide receiver Jordan Addison, who starred at Tuscarora High School in Frederick, has been named the DC Touchdown Club Pro Football Player of the Week after setting career highs with seven catches for 123 yards and two touchdowns as the Vikings beat the San Francisco 49ers, 22-17, on Monday Night Football.

Addison, the Vikings’ first-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, is the first player ever to win the Touchdown Club’s pro, college and high school player of the week awards. He also was the Touchdown Club’s 2022 Washington Metro College Player of the Year.

“It means a lot, playing on Monday Night Football, primetime, I’ve been watching this since I was a kid, when I was five years old,” Addison told ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt – who received the Founder’s Award from the Touchdown Club this past April -- during SportsCenter. “I was thinking back to that moment. Once my feet touched the field, I had to leave everything out here.”

Addison had caught four touchdown passes in the season’s first six games, but Monday night’s game was easily his best this season.

While the Vikings were without standout wide receiver Justin Jefferson, who has an injured hamstring, Addison showcased his ability to be a top receiver. Addison caught a 20-yard touchdown in the first quarter and ripped the ball away from a defensive back for a 60-yard touchdown just before halftime.

As Minnesota tried to protect its lead late in the fourth quarter, it picked up one first down by penalty when Addison was bumped as he attempted to run past a defensive back and Addison added another first-down catch despite being held.

Week 6: Kendall Fuller, Washington Commanders

photo courtesy washington commanders

Washington Commanders cornerback Kendall Fuller, who starred at Good Counsel High School and Virginia Tech, has been named the DC Touchdown Club Pro Football Player of the Week after making seven tackles and intercepting a pass to help the Commanders snap a three-game losing streak with a 24-16 win over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday.

Fuller’s second interception of the season came early in the third quarter, as he picked off a Desmond Ritter pass at midfield and returned it 23 yards. One play later, Sam Howell threw a 24-yard touchdown pass to Brian Robinson Jr., giving the Commanders a 24-10 lead.

“The good thing about today is that we made more plays,” said Fuller, now in his eighth NFL season. “I just had good vision on the quarterback and was trying to make a play to help our team and created good field position for our offense to get points on the board. It was good to get momentum for our team.”

After allowing more than 30 points in each of the past four games, the Commanders defense repeatedly made plays at Atlanta, inclduing three interceptions in the second half. After scoring a touchdown on their opening drive, the Falcons did not score another touchdown until the middle of the fourth quarter.

“We protected the football and we took the football away -- that gave us the opportunity more so than anything,” Commanders Coach Ron Rivera said. “The defense bowed up when it had to and made a couple plays that were really good that really helped us. When you need to make plays, you have to [players] step up when you have the opportunity. A lot of guys did that today.”

Week 5: DJ Moore, Chicago Bears

Chicago Bears wide receiver DJ Moore, who starred at the University of Maryland, has been named the DC Touchdown Club Pro Football Player of the Week after his career-best performance led the Bears to their first victory of the season, 40-20 over the Washington Commanders this past Thursday.

Moore caught eight passes for a career-high 230 yards and three touchdowns as he set the tone from the opening drive. His 58-yard catch-and-run moved the ball down the field, then he hauled in a 14-yard touchdown pass for the game’s first score.

“You saw his skill and talent level out there today,” Bears Coach Matt Eberflus said. “He’s just an amazing player and [quarterback Justin Fields] did a really good job of feeding him today.  … He’s a true pro – he’s our hardest worker and sets a great example.”

Moore, who had dinner Wednesday with teammate Yannick Ngakoue and University of Maryland Coach Michael Locksley, told reporters he was nervous before the game. If that was the case, it never showed on the field as he helped the Bears break their 14-game losing streak.

Moore came within 20 yards of the franchise single-game record and posted the most receiving yards against Washington since Dallas Cowboys star Bob Hayes (the only person to win a Super Bowl ring and an Olympic gold medal) had 246 receiving yards in 1966.

Week 4: Stefon Diggs, Buffalo Bills

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs, who starred at Good Counsel High School in Olney and at the University of Maryland, has been named the DC Touchdown Club Pro Football Player of the Week after catching six passes for 120 yards and three touchdowns as the Bills won their third consecutive game and dealt the Miami Dolphins their first loss, 48-20, this past Sunday.

“Your star players have to play at star levels in these games,” Bills Coach Sean McDermott said when asked about the play of Diggs and quarterback Josh Allen.

It was just the latest in a string of top performances for Diggs, now in his ninth professional season, and the fourth three-touchdown game of his career.

Diggs caught touchdown passes of 11, 55 and 13 yards as the Bills roared to their third consecutive blowout win. On the 55-yarder, he caught the ball, shrugged off two would-be tacklers and sped to the end zone.

“We came out with the right mindset,” Diggs said. “Guys were blocking their butts off. The touchdowns are all the glitz and glamour, but we need a lot of things to happen for me to catch the ball and make the plays. 

Week 3: Darnell Savage Jr., Green Bay Packers

Green Bay Packers safety Darnell Savage, who played collegiately at the University of Maryland, has been named the DC Touchdown Club Pro Football Player of the Week after providing the steady hand that led the Packers’ rally for an 18-17 victory over the New Orleans Saints this past Sunday.

Savage finished with five tackles but just as important his calm presence played an important role after the Packers trailed 10-0 at halftime.

“Don’t worry about it, we got you,” Savage repeatedly told Packers Coach Matt LaFleur.

“I kinda joked around and said, 'We got all the bad stuff out of our system in the first half'," Savage told reporters after the game. "Now all we can do is go out there, play free and whatever happens, happens. Just looking around in the locker room, we were still confident. That's one thing about this team. We believe in each other, trust each other. We're still confident so we went out there, handled business and look what happened."

The Packers trailed 17-0 entering the fourth quarter, before turning things around. LaFleur said he had never been part of a win like that and was reminded of the belief Savage – the Packers’ first-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft -- had in the team.

“That’s why I was hugging him so long after the game,” LaFleur said.

Week 2: Brian Robinson Jr., Washington Commanders

photo courtesy washington commanders

Washington Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr., who rushed for a pair of fourth quarter touchdowns, has been named the DC Touchdown Club Pro Football Player of the Week after helping the Commanders rally from an 18-point deficit for a 35-33 victory over the host Denver Broncos this past Sunday.

Robinson finished with 87 yards on 18 carries and also rushed for a two-point conversion as the Commanders started 2-0 for the first time since 2012.

“He’s a heck of a player,” Commanders quarterback Sam Howell said. “He’s worked so hard. It was so much fun watching him run today. The offensive line did a good job. There were some good holes for him to run through and he hit them.

“He runs hard. He runs physical. He makes the defense feel it every single time he touches the ball.”

The Commanders shook off an early 21-3 deficit but trailed 24-21 entering the fourth quarter. Robinson capped a 75-yard drive with a tough two-yard touchdown run up the middle, giving Washington the lead for good. On the Commanders’ next possession, Robinson finished off a 64-yard drive as he bounced to the left, shedded a would-be tackler and burst into the end zone for a 15-yard touchdown as a 35-24 lead.

“Once he got rolling, that is what the young man is capable of,” Commanders Coach Ron Rivera said. “This is indicative of what that young man can be.”

A second-year pro from the University of Alabama, Robinson was selected in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft. He was on track to be the Commanders’ starting running back out of training camp, but was shot twice in the leg when two men attempted to carjack Robinson after he left a restaurant in Northeast Washington. Robinson missed last season’s first four games before returning to rush for 797 yards and two touchdowns.

Week 1: Montez Sweat, Washington Commanders

washington commanders photo

Washington Commanders defensive end Montez Sweat, who made five tackles and forced a pair of critical fumbles that led to offensive scores, has been named the DC Touchdown Club Pro Football Player of the Week after leading the Commanders to a season-opening 20-16 victory over the Arizona Cardinals.

A 2019 first-round draft pick now in his fifth season with the Commanders, Sweat delivered perhaps the biggest plays before a revved up crowd for the team’s first game since a group led by Josh Harris purchased the team this past summer.

The Commanders, who did not allow an offensive touchdown in the game, trailed 16-10 late in the third quarter when Sweat sacked quarterback Josh Dobbs, forcing a fumble that was recovered by teammate Daron Payne at the Arizona 29-yard line. Eight plays later, quarterback Sam Howell scrambled six yards for the go-ahead touchdown.

Midway through fourth quarter, after the Cardinals had moved from their 21 to the 45, Dobbs recovered a fumbled snap, only for Sweat to force another fumble that teammate Abdullah Anderson recovered. That led to Joey Slye’s 33-yard field goal that provided a bit more cushion.

“The way the unit played as a whole on defense was outstanding,” Commanders Coach Ron Rivera said. “They played hard, made plays when they had to. They gave us opportunities, created field position, put us in scoring position. They’re going to carry us a little bit and they know that.”