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].”