Bengals: Andy Dalton Headlines Top 5 Pro Bowl Snubs
Nov 29, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Carlos Dunlap (96) takes the field during player introductions prior to the game against the St. Louis Rams at Paul Brown Stadium. The Bengals won 31-7. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
3. Carlos Dunlap
Carlos Dunlap got snubbed, plain and simple. While he is the first alternate at defensive end, he deserves to be one of the six players on the Pro Bowl roster.
The defensive end led the NFL in sacks for what seemed like a long time before eventually being passed midway through the season. Still, Dunlap’s 10.5 sacks are good for seventh in the NFL and fifth among defensive ends.
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Dunlap easily outplayed Seahawks defensive end
, who recorded fewer tackles, sacks, sack yards, pass defenses, and fumble recoveries than Dunlap. In fact, Bennett doesn’t lead Dunlap in any major statistical category. And while some may argue that Dunlap’s production comes as a result of teammate Geno Atkins’ dominance in the middle, Bennett equally benefits from teammates
and
commanding attention. Even former Brown
is making an impact in Seattle.
In addition, Dunlap has blocked two field goals on the season, which is likely more than any defensive end, or even player, in the league.
Dunlap has recorded a sack in eight of 14 games this season. That’s consistency. Michael Bennett and Chandler Jones each endured a four-game sackless streak. J.J. Watt hasn’t recorded a sack in three straight games. These players have not been nearly as consistent as Dunlap. Rather, they’ve simply piled up stats against mediocre players.
Carlos Dunlap’s longest streak of games without a sack is just two games. Of the Pro Bowl defensive ends, only Khalil Mack, Muhammad Wilkerson and Ezekiel Ansah have been able to match Dunlap’s consistency. Like Dunlap, these three players have not gone three straight games without a sack, although it’s worth noting that a third of Mack’s 2015 sack total to date came in a single game.
Dunlap’s consistent production warrants recognition. It’s a shame to see his name left off the list.
Next: 4. Kevin Zeitler; 5. Cedric Peerman