AFC Honor for Kicker Celebrated by the New England Patriots

The New England Patriots’ special teams unit received a major boost this week as kicker Chad Ryland was named the AFC Special Teams Player of the Month for November, marking the first time a Patriots kicker has earned the honor since 2020. Ryland’s standout performance over the month—converting all 10 of his field goal attempts (including three from 50+ yards) and 12 of 13 extra points—played a critical role in the Patriots’ 3-1 record in November, helping the team climb into the AFC wild-card race. The Patriots organization, players, and fans rallied to celebrate the honor, with the team sharing dedicated content across its social media channels and recognizing Ryland during a practice session. AFC Honor for Kicker Celebrated by the New England Patriots explores Ryland’s award-winning performances, his growth since joining the Patriots, the impact of his success on the team, and how the franchise is honoring his achievement.

AFC Honor for Kicker Celebrated by the New England Patriots first dives into the specifics of Ryland’s November dominance. The 24-year-old kicker, in his second NFL season, saved his best play for high-leverage moments: in the Patriots’ 24-17 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 12, he drilled a 53-yard field goal in the third quarter to extend New England’s lead to 10 points, a kick that ESPN later named the “Clutch Play of the Week” for the AFC. He also converted a game-winning 42-yard field goal as time expired in the Patriots’ 20-17 victory over the Indianapolis Colts in Week 10, his first career game-winner. What made Ryland’s month even more impressive was his consistency in challenging conditions: three of his November games were played in rain or wind, yet he never missed a kick. NFL officials noted his precision in their announcement, stating, “Ryland’s ability to perform under pressure and in adverse weather separated him from other candidates. His 100% field goal rate in November is a testament to his work ethic and focus.”

To contextualize Ryland’s achievement, AFC Honor for Kicker Celebrated by the New England Patriots highlights his journey with the Patriots. Selected by New England in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft out of Maryland, Ryland had a rocky rookie season, converting just 75% of his field goals (18 of 24) and missing two critical kicks in close losses. This offseason, he worked extensively with Patriots special teams coordinator Cameron Achord to refine his technique—focusing on his approach angle and follow-through—and spent extra time practicing in bad weather to build confidence. The results have been transformative: through 13 games this season, Ryland has converted 86.7% of his field goals (26 of 30) and 96.7% of his extra points (29 of 30), career bests. His teammates have taken notice of his growth: punter Bryce Baringer, who works with Ryland daily in practice, said, “Chad put in the work this offseason—he was here every morning before practice, staying late to kick in the rain. To see him get this honor? It’s well-deserved. He’s become a guy we can count on in any situation.”

AFC Honor for Kicker Celebrated by the New England Patriots also spotlights how the team is celebrating Ryland’s award. The Patriots kicked off the celebration during their Monday practice, where head coach Bill Belichick presented Ryland with a custom AFC Special Teams Player of the Month trophy—engraved with the Patriots logo and his November stats—in front of the entire team. A video of the moment, shared on the Patriots’ Twitter account, showed players cheering as Ryland held up the trophy, with Belichick saying, “This is what happens when you work hard and focus on getting better every day. Great job, Chad.” The team also released a “Highlight Reel” on its YouTube channel, featuring all 10 of Ryland’s November field goals set to upbeat music, with commentary from Patriots broadcasters praising his “cool under pressure” demeanor. For the New England Patriots, the celebration is about more than honoring Ryland—it’s about recognizing the importance of special teams, a phase of the game Belichick has long prioritized. “Special teams wins games,” Belichick said in a press conference. “Chad’s success this month has been a big part of our wins, and we’re proud to see him get this recognition.”

Another layer of AFC Honor for Kicker Celebrated by the New England Patriots is the impact of Ryland’s award on team morale. The Patriots, who have struggled with inconsistency on offense and defense at times this season, have found stability in their special teams unit—thanks in large part to Ryland and Baringer. Ryland’s success has given the team a reliable weapon in close games, and his award has boosted confidence across the roster. Quarterback Mac Jones noted, “Having a kicker you can trust is huge. When we get into field goal range, we know Chad is going to make it— that takes so much pressure off the offense. This award is a win for the whole team, not just him.” The Patriots’ fans have also joined the celebration: the hashtag #RylandAFCPlayerOfTheMonth trended on Twitter in New England for two days, with fans sharing photos of themselves at games holding signs supporting the kicker. Local businesses even got involved: a Boston-based pizza chain offered a “Ryland Special” (a 10-slice pizza, a nod to his 10 field goals in November) for $10. For the New England Patriots, this fan and community support is a reminder of how individual success can unite a franchise.

The final dimension of AFC Honor for Kicker Celebrated by the New England Patriots is what Ryland’s achievement means for the rest of the season. With the Patriots in a tight race for a wild-card spot—they currently hold the 6th seed in the AFC—Ryland’s reliability will be critical in the final five games, which include matchups with the Buffalo Bills (twice) and Miami Dolphins. Belichick has already indicated that the team will lean on Ryland in close contests, saying, “Chad has proven he can make the big kicks, and we’ll need that down the stretch.” Ryland, for his part, is focused on building on his November success rather than resting on his laurels. “This award is great, but it’s not the end goal,” he said in an interview with Patriots.com. “Our goal is to make the playoffs and win a championship. I’ll keep working hard every day to help this team get there.” For the New England Patriots, Ryland’s AFC honor is more than a milestone—it’s a sign that their special teams unit is a strength they can rely on as they chase a playoff berth. As the season enters its final month, all eyes will be on Ryland to see if he can keep his hot streak alive—and lead the Patriots back to the postseason.