Bengals DE Carlos Dunlap today was named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week by the NFL, for his performance in last week's victory at San Francisco.
* Dunlap blocked a 41-yard field goal attempt by the 49ers' Phil Dawson in the fourth quarter, effectively ending San Francisco's remaining comeback hopes in an eventual 24-14 Cincinnati win. Without the block, San Francisco could have been pursuing a tying touchdown on two late possessions, one of which reached the Bengals 28.*
* It was the second blocked FG of the season for Dunlap. He and Quinton Dial of San Francisco (also two) are the only NFL players with more than one.*
* Dunlap also had a game-changing defensive play against the 49ers. Midway through the second quarter of a scoreless game, he stripped the ball from WR Anquan Boldin and returned 21 yards to the San Francisco 11, setting up the first touchdown.*
* Dunlap is the first Bengal not a kicker or kick returner to win a Special Teams Player of the Week award. Dunlap has one previous league weekly award, an AFC Defensive Player nod after getting two sacks and two forced fumbles in 2012 at San Diego.*
* Dunlap's award is the fifth weekly or monthly AFC award earned by the Bengals this season. The first four have been:*
* * WR A.J. Green, Offensive Player of the Week for his 227-yard, two-TD performance at Baltimore on Sept. 27.*
* * K Mike Nugent won the special teams honor for his game-tying and game-winning field goals on Oct. 11 vs. Seattle.*
* * QB Andy Dalton was named Offensive Player of the Month for October, when he led the Bengals to a 3-0 record with a 111.6 passer rating.*
* *CB Leon Hall earned the defensive weekly honor for Nov. 29 vs. St. Louis, when his multiple contributions included a 19-yard INT return for a touchdown.*
