Stephen Gostkowski Named AFC Special Teams Player Of The Week
BOSTON (CBS) -- When you make a kick as big as the one that Stephen Gostkowski booted on Sunday night in New Jersey, you're bound to acquire some accolades.
On Wednesday, the NFL announced that Gostkowsi earned AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors, after the Patriots kicker made a 54-yard field goal in the final seconds of Sunday's game to give New England a one-point victory of the New York Giants.
For Gostkowski, it's the third time he's earned the honors, and earlier this season, he was named AFC Special Teams Player of the Month for September.
Sunday's game-winner vaulted Gostkowski over Adam Vinatieiri for most successful field goals in Patriots history with 264, and it improved his mark to 21-for-21 on the season. Gostkowski is also the all-time leader in field-goal percentage on kicks of 50 or more yards at 81 percent.
In addition to his field goals, Gostkowski leads the NFL in total points (97) and touchbacks (45).
"You're one kick away from being public enemy number one. That's why my job is very humbling," Gostkowski said after the Patriots' victory. "No matter how many kicks that I get, how many games that we win, I'm always going to try and stay humble and have humility because you're one play away from being trending on Twitter as the number one loser in America. I just try to go out there, have fun and do my job. It's fun to be on a good team. When everyone else around you is doing well, it's kind of like being on a baseball team where everyone is getting a hit and you want your opportunity to get up there because you feel like you're going to get a hit, too. It was a fun game. I still have to go out and make a lot of kicks the rest of the year."