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If Chad Ryland can turn things around, maybe the Patriots can, too.The New England rookie has been the worst kicker in the league, including two early mi ses in Sunday's game against Denver a 47-yard field goal and an extra point. But with the game on the line, Ryland connected on a 56-yard field goal with 2 seconds left to earn New England a 26-23 victory Jim Abbott Jersey over the Broncos. It was the second win in three games for the Patriots (4-11), and both came against teams fighting for playoff berths.Often times, you find the greatest treasure in the darkest caves, said Ryland, who was 14 for 22 for the season before nailing the game-winner. Ive obviously been struggling a little bit this year, and I was really, really fortunate to be surrounded by a team that believes in me.ADVERTISEMENT The kicking isnt the biggest reason New England is headed to its worst season since Bill Belichick took over in 2000. But Rylands struggles seemed to embody the way the coaching guru had lost his touch especially in personnel decisions.Belichick traded up in the fourth round to grab Ryland, who started as a walk-on at Eastern Michigan before spending one year at Maryland. It was the highest spot Belichick had ever picked a kicker.After beating out veteran Nick Folk in training camp, Ryland mi sed a couple of long-ish attempts early in the season before going a month without a mi s. Then, in back-to-back games, he mi sed 35-yard attempts in one-score lo ses; the Patriots added Matthew Wright to the practice squad as insurance, but Ryland remained active (and mi James Shields Jersey sed a 41-yarder against Kansas City last week).New England scored a pair of touchdowns in 6 seconds to open a 23-7 lead in the third quarter on Sunday night before Denver answered with back-to-back TDs and matching 2-point conversions to tie it. The Patriots' next po se sion went backward, but after forcing a punt they got the ball back with 58 seconds and one timeout left.Bailey Zappe connected with DeVante Parker for 27 yards to the Denver 47, and then two short pa ses set things up for Ryland at the 38 for what would be the longest kick of his career.I didnt waver in confidence at all, because I knew that the guys I had around me still believed in me, and have believed in me all year. That means more to an athlete and even more so a kicker than I think I can put into words, Ryland said. Having that support system you have guys like Matt Slater coming up to you, telling you, Hey, man. Were going to need you in the fourth quarter here. Thats what its turning out to be.' Matt the prophet: Thats what it turned out to be.Its too late for the Patriots this season, but if Ryland can be more consistent he could be one le s thing for Belichick or whoever is the coach to worry about next year.You need those plays at the right time. When you need to make them, you need to Bill Melton Jersey make them to win (and) tonight we made them, Belichick said on Sunday. Unfortunately, theres been some other weeks where we havent been able to make them.WHATS WORKINGThe defense continues to keep the team in games, this time stopping the Broncos after they stripped the ball away from Zappe on the New England 6 on the first play of the game. Denver went for it on fourth-and-goal from the 2 and Javonte Williams got stuffed at the 1.There were a lot of thank yous that I was telling everyone," Zappe said. "That sort of nullifies what happens. You dont want to turn the ball over, but if they dont get any points, thats a win. WHAT NEEDS HELPZappe, who had struggled in the second half since taking over for Mac Jones, put up 20 points in the third quarter and gave New England a 16-point lead. But Jones was completely unproductive in the first quarter Alex Colome Jersey including the first-play strip-sack and for three straight three-and-outs in the fourth before the winning drive. STOCK UPDefensive lineman Christian Barmore led the way, sacking Ru sell Wilson three times in the third quarter for his first career three-sack game. Barmore has 8 sacks this season. He eight tackles in all, with two for a lo s; he also forced a fumble. STOCK DOWNWith their fourth victory of the season, the Patriots moved down in the draft order, from second to fourth overall. If they stay there, they would likely mi s out on one of the top three prizes: Southern California quarterback Caleb Williams, Ohio State receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. or North Carolina QB Drake Maye. INJURIESSpecial teams star Matthew Slater (hamstring) was Lucas Giolito Jersey a surprise scratch from Sundays game. Tight end Hunter Henry (knee) and safety Jabrill Peppers (hamstring) were also inactive. Defensive back Jalen Mills left the game with a head injury.KEY NUMBER100 The Patriots are the only team without either a 100-yard rusher or 100-yard receiver in any game this season. No team has ever done that for an entire season of at least 16 games. The Colts did it in a nine-game season in 1982 and Washington did it for the entire 14-game 1977 season.NEXT STEPSThe Patriots finish with a pair of AFC East rivals that theyve already beaten this season: the Bills on Sunday and the Jets on Jan. 7. The Jets (6-9) are already out of the playoff hunt; Buffalo (9-6) is in contention for the division title or a wild-card berth.___AP NFL: |
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发表于 2025-5-26 19:06:38
