EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – The rain was coming down and the wind was blowing during Sunday afternoon's contest between the New England Patriots and New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. 

This made many things challenging, and that included the kicking game. 

Patriots rookie kicker Chad Ryland has shown off his impressive foot all season, but suffered his first miss in the win over the Jets. 

In the second quarter, Ryland attempted a 48-yard field goal after making one in the first quarter, but this time is was no good. The ball went wide right, marking his first miss of the season. 

And to end the half, he missed a 57-yard attempt after it appeared that Joe Cardona's snap was a little too high. 

However, he didn't let that get in his way, coming in during the third quarter and making a 51-yard field goal. 

"It was a tough day to kick. Bunch of long ones. The weather wasn’t great. I thought he hit the ball pretty well," Belichick said after the game. "Timing on a couple of them could’ve been better. We need to have a cleaner operation, but I thought he showed mental toughness coming back and making that kick in the third quarter after the one at the half that just wasn’t a great operation. But did a good job for us."

During the 2023 NFL Draft, the Patriots became the second team in the last 30 years to select a kicker and a punter, choosing Ryland in the fourth round. They followed it up by picking punter Bryce Baringer in the sixth round. 

And Baringer has also proven himself throughout training camp and during the last two games. 

In the first quarter, Baringer had a nice punt that pinned the Jets on their own six-yard line. His longest punt went for 50 yards, and recorded a total of 322 yards on Sunday. 

"Same thing with Bryce (Baringer)," Belichick said. "He had a couple of good punts there at the end, situational punts that were what we needed."

The Patriots have not had the best weather to start the season, having played in two rain games now. However, if the two rookies are able to compete in this, just think of what they are capable of as they continue to grow and get more comfortable in the NFL. 

"Been a couple of bad weather games already in September which is not usually the case but that’s what it is and that’s what we’re going to have to play in, so some good learning experiences for both of them," Belichick said. "

Featured Image via Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports