Carlos Dunlap sets Bengals franchise sack record
By Connor Howe
Eddie Edwards may still be Cincinnati’s unofficial sack leader, but Carlos Dunlap is now the Bengals’ official sack leader after recording three on Monday night.
Carlos Dunlap is now the Bengals’ all-time sack leader. After Week 16, the defensive end now has 13.5 sacks on the season and 49 in his career.
We predicted a three-sack performance from Dunlap just a few days ago, and Dunlap delivered, bringing down Brock Osweiler three times on Monday Night Football.
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The former Florida Gator has turned into one of the NFL’s best edge rushers. He’s recorded 26 sacks over the course of his past three seasons, improving his sack total on a season-to-season basis from 2010-2015. Before 2015, Dunlap’s season-high sack total came during his rookie year, in which he recorded nine and a half as a situational pass-rusher.
This career milestone is a huge achievement, but let’s not forget that Eddie Edwards is still the Bengals’ best pass-rusher of all time–at least as of now. About half of Edwards’ career sack total came before the NFL officially recorded sacks, as he has an unofficial career total of 83.5.
However, Dunlap is well on his way to becoming the best edge-rusher in Bengals history. Hopefully, this milestone won’t be Dunlap’s last.
On an unrelated note, teammate Geno Atkins is nipping at Dunlap’s heels, with 42 on his career. On their current trajectories, at least one of these two players figures to reach Edwards’ career total.
Dunlap has flown under the radar throughout his career, as he has yet to make a Pro Bowl appearance (he was snubbed this season). Even teammate Geno Atkins, with four Pro Bowl appearances, hasn’t received the attention he deserves. He’s flying under the radar as a DPOY candidate, despite a dominant season that at least warrants consideration.
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As long as the Bengals aren’t a high-profile team, Dunlap (and Atkins) will fly under the radar. Regardless, his accomplishments are very impressive. Hopefully, this isn’t the last we see of Dunlap in the Bengals’ record book.