Dec 19, 2021; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Lions kicker Riley Patterson (6) celebrates with punter Jack Fox (3) after making a field goal during the second quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Riley Patterson has stabilized the kicker spot for the Lions, and he has been named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week for Week 15.
When the Detroit Lions got their first win of the season in Week 13 against the Minnesota Vikings, quarterback Jared Goff won NFC Offensive Player of the Week. Coming off a big win over the Arizona Cardinals, kicker Riley Patterson has been named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week for Week 15.
Patterson made all three of his field goal attempts (including two from 45-plus yards out in the fourth quarter) and all three of his extra points against the Cardinals. Missed kicks can be momentum-shifting plays, and leave the door open for comebacks. But Patterson did everything in front of him to make sure Arizona never had any real openings to narrow the margin. That’s all you can ask for from a kicker.
After letting Matt Prater go in free agency (and he signed with Arizona, coincidentally), the Lions cycled through kickers like a lot of people might go through underwear. The release of Ryan Santoso and the signings of Patterson and Aldrick Rosas in mid-November made it seven kickers Detroit has had somewhere on the roster since Prater departed.
Riley Patterson has stabilized the placekicking for the Lions
In four games as the Lions’ kicker, Patterson is 7-for-7 on field goals (4-for-4 from 40-plus yards out) and 8-for-8 on extra points.
Patterson has entered some nice historical company among Lions’ kickers already–Eddie Murray and Jason Hanson.
Patterson may not be the only Lion to win an award for Week 15. Goff is up for FedEx Air Player of the Week, and wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown was nominated for Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week.