On Wednesday, news came down that Patriots rookie kicker Andy Borregales has been named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week for his performance in Week 12 against the Bengals (3-8).
The Miami-product hit a season-high 4 field goals, making a 41-yard field goal with 28 seconds left in the second quarter, a 45-yard field goal with 1:04 left in the third quarter, a 19-yard field goal with 5:55 left in the fourth quarter and a 52-yard field goal with 1:51 left in the fourth quarter. Borregales was also a perfect 2 for 2 on extra points.
After a shaky start to his pro career in Week 1, missing his first career field goal attempt from 40 yards out, Borregales has settled in as one of the most reliable kickers in the NFL. Through the end of Week 12, the 23-year-old is 19 for 21 on field goal attempts, 33 for 35 on extra point attempts, and is fifth in the NFL in scoring with 90 points to his name. His 90.5% hit rate on field goals is good for 12th best league-wide.
Borregales’ win was the fourth time this season the Patriots have been awarded an AFC Player of the Week honor:
- Week 2: Antonio Gibson wins AFC Special Teams Player of the Week
- Week 4: Marcus Jones wins Special Teams Player of the Week
- Week 7: K'Lavon Chaisson wins AFC Defensive Player of the Week
- Week 12: Andy Borregales wins AFC Special Teams Player of the Week
In addition to the weekly wins, the Patriots were awarded an AFC Defensive Player of the Month for October, with Jones coming home with the honor in the same week he signed an extension with the team.
Patriots are back on the practice field on Wednesday after an off-day on Tuesday, as they continue their preparations for Week 13 against the Giants (2-10) on Monday Night Football. As of publishing, New England (10-2) is a 7-point favorite.
Tune in each and every Monday throughout the football season to Patriots Monday on WEEI. Head coach Mike Vrabel joins The Greg Hill Show at 6:30 a.m. ET, and quarterback Drake Maye joins WEEI Afternoons.