Cincinnati Bengals Pro Bowl Snubs

Dec 14, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals running back Jeremy Hill (32) runs with the ball during the second quarter as Cleveland Browns cornerback Pierre Desir (26) closes in at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Congratulations to AJ Green and Kevin Huber on earning a spot in this years NFL Pro Bowl. Unfortunately not everyone can make it and there are always a few left out that deserve to be invited and the Bengals are no exception.

Jeremy Hill
Jeremy Hill missed the Pro Bowl based on the fact that he has shared time with Giovani Bernard early on this season. He has been a major part of this offenses success though. Over 15 games, he has averaged 5.1 yards per carry on 199 carries. He has 7 touchdowns and has been on a team that has looked to him as there every down back as the season went on. In comparison, LeSean McCoy, who was invited, only has 4.1 yards per carry and five touchdowns and he has similar numbers to Pro Bowl back Jamaal Charles.

Carlos Dunlap
Carlos Dunlap has stepped up to be one of the biggest impact players on the Bengals defensive line. He has eight sacks, 64 combined tackles, two forced fumbles, three pass deflections, and 8 tackles for loss. Impressive numbers since Calais Campbell, who made the Pro Bowl has one forced fumble, 53 combined tackles, seven sacks, and seven tackles for loss. Cameron Wake got in on sacks and forced fumbles alone with 11.5 sacks and three forced fumbles, only one more than Dunlap, he has only had 33 combined tackles, 1 tackle for loss.

These two were more than deserving but without being household names yet could have been hurt by the media attention on others. Dunlap was hurt most by a poor defensive performance by the Bengals during this season. These two could be in for celebration next season if they can not only replicate results but grow off of a strong 2014 season.  If Dre Kirkpatrick can continue to grow, he could join the conversation as well. He has made an impact, but it has come of late, and when the Bengals have needed him most.