Jacksonville ended its 20-game losing streak with a 53-yard game-winning kick from Matthew Wright on Sunday against the Miami Dolphins. That’s why it should come as no surprise that the team’s new kicker took home some weekly honors for delivering the win.
Wright was named the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week after making both of his extra points and all three of his field-goal attempts (including two from 50+).
Ice in his veins 🧊
Congratulations to @Mattyice717, named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week! pic.twitter.com/7naEVeUUMG
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) October 20, 2021
But his performance earned him something even more valuable than a weekly honorific: the full-time job.
The Jags did what many expected them to do on Tuesday and released veteran kicker Josh Lambo, meaning that Wright is the team’s starting kicker the rest of the way. Lambo had a rough start to the season, missing all three of his field-goal attempts. He also missed two extra points in a Week 3 loss to the Arizona Cardinals.
Wright has made three of his four field goals since joining the team, and the Jaguars hope they have their answer at placekicker after not making one in the first three weeks of the season.
