Mr. October: Cardinals kicker Chad Ryland is NFC Special Teams Player of the Month

Oct 31, 2024, 9:25 AM

Chad Ryland #38 and Blake Gillikin #12 of the Arizona Cardinals celebrate after Ryland kicked a field goal to take the lead over the San Francisco 49ers during the fourth quarter at Levi's Stadium on October 06, 2024 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

BY KEVIN ZIMMERMAN

ArizonaSports.com lead editor

Arizona Cardinals kicker Chad Ryland on Thursday was named NFC Special Teams Player of the Month for his three game-winning kicks in October.

Ryland nailed game-winners in a visit to play the San Francisco 49ers (Oct. 6), against the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday Night Football (Oct. 21) and then at the Miami Dolphins (Oct. 27).

He’s the third player in NFL history to nail three game-winners in his first four games with a new team.

For the month, Ryland went 8 of 9 on field goals with a single miss, a blocked field goal that Arizona overcame in its meeting with the Niners.

The 2023 fourth-round pick by the New England Patriots hit all five of his attempts under 40 yards, went 2 of 3 between 40-49 yards and hit a 57-yarder at Miami for his long.

Ryland is the first NFC Player of the Month winner for the Cardinals since Budda Baker won the defensive honor in October 2020.

A special teamer hadn’t won for Arizona since kicker Zane Gonzalez took home the award in October 2019.

How did Chad Ryland land on the Cardinals?

Ryland’s time with New England ended on Aug. 27 after he had an inconsistent 16-of-25 start to his NFL career on field goals.

Arizona signed him to the practice squad on Oct. 2, and he kicked days later with starter Matt Prater nursing left knee soreness. The Cardinals didn’t place Prater on injured reserve until mid-October, giving Ryland a longer runway to find consistency.

Prater will miss at least the next two games, against the Chicago Bears (Nov. 3) and New York Jets (Nov. 10) before a bye week.

A decision on Prater’s return depending on his health and how Ryland performs in those games could be made before a Nov. 24 game at the Seattle Seahawks.