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Though the season is over for the Cincinnati Bengals, the honors for various players should keep rolling in.
The latest honor comes in the form of the Pro Football Writers of America All-NFL Team, which includes Bengals defensive tackle Geno Atkins. This comes as no surprise after the season Atkins just had, which saw him regain his pre-ACL tear form when he was of the NFL's best defensive lineman.
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Atkins played in all 16 games this past season while recording 11 sacks--the second highest single-season total in his career. He also had 42 total tackles and a forced fumble while being a big reason why the Bengals ranked ninth in total sacks (42) and fifth in opponent passer rating (78.9).
Two more Bengals made the PFWA All-AFC Team. Offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth and safety Reggie Nelson made that list in addition to Atkins. Surprisingly, the Oakland Raiders led all AFC teams with five All-AFC selections (including Khalil Mack at both defensive and outside linebacker), while the New England Patriots had four AFC picks.
Whitworth, now in his 10th NFL season, started every game this season at left tackle and has been a major contributor to Cincinnati ranking seventh best in the NFL in scoring (26.2 points per game). Whitworth also leads the Cincinnati roster in career Bengals games played (157) and starts (153). He's been one of the NFL's best blindside protectors for much of his career, and this is a well-deserved honor for him.
As for Nelson, he tied for the NFL-lead in interceptions (8) while racking up 77 tackles and 14 passes defensed this season. Nelson also tied a team-record this season by recording an INT in five consecutive games. He was also voted into the Pro Bowl for the first time.
In recapping other awards each player has achieved, Whitworth was honored with an AP First-Team All-Pro selection, a Pro Bowl berth and a spot on the PFWA All-AFC Team. Atkins earned a spot on the PFWA All-NFL Team, an AP First-Team All-Pro selection and a Pro Bowl selection. Nelson earned a spot on the PFWA All-AFC team to go with his Pro Bowl berth.
It's also worth noting that no Bengals were named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team.
2015 PFWA ALL-NFL TEAM
Offense
QB - Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers
RB - Doug Martin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers; Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings
WR - Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh Steelers; Julio Jones, Atlanta Falcons
TE - Rob Gronkowski, New England Patriots
C - Ryan Kalil, Carolina Panthers
G - Zack Martin, Dallas Cowboys; Marshal Yanda, Baltimore Ravens
T - Tyron Smith, Dallas Cowboys; Joe Thomas, Cleveland Browns
Defense
DE - Khalil Mack, Oakland Raiders; J.J. Watt, Houston Texans
DT - Geno Atkins, Cincinnati Bengals; Aaron Donald, St. Louis Rams
OLB - Khalil Mack, Oakland Raiders; Von Miller, Denver Broncos
MLB - Luke Kuechly, Carolina Panthers
CB - Josh Norman, Carolina Panthers; Patrick Peterson, Arizona Cardinals
S - Eric Berry, Kansas City Chiefs; Tyrann Mathieu, Arizona Cardinals
Special Teams
PK - Stephen Gostkowski, New England Patriots
P - Johnny Hekker, St. Louis Rams
KR - Cordarrelle Patterson, Minnesota Vikings
PR - Darren Sproles, Philadelphia Eagles
ST - Justin Bethel, Arizona Cardinals
2015 PFWA ALL-AFC TEAM
Offense
QB - Tom Brady, New England Patriots
RB - Chris Ivory, New York Jets; Latavius Murray, Oakland Raiders
WR - Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh Steelers; DeAndre Hopkins, Houston Texans
TE - Rob Gronkowski, New England Patriots
C - (tie) Rodney Hudson, Oakland Raiders; Alex Mack, Cleveland Browns
G - David DeCastro, Pittsburgh Steelers; Marshal Yanda, Baltimore Ravens
T -Joe Thomas, Cleveland Browns; Andrew Whitworth, Cincinnati Bengals
Defense
DE - Khalil Mack, Oakland Raiders; J.J. Watt, Houston Texans
DT - Geno Atkins, Cincinnati Bengals; Ndamukong Suh, Miami Dolphins
OLB - Khalil Mack, Oakland Raiders; Von Miller, Denver Broncos
ILB - Derrick Johnson, Kansas City Chiefs
CB - Chris Harris Jr., Denver Broncos; Marcus Peters, Kansas City Chiefs
S - Eric Berry, Kansas City Chiefs; Reggie Nelson, Cincinnati Bengals
Special Teams
PK - Stephen Gostkowski, New England Patriots
P - Sam Koch, Baltimore Ravens
KR - Taiwan Jones, Oakland Raiders
PR - Jarvis Landry, Miami Dolphins
ST - Matthew Slater, New England Patriots
2015 PFWA ALL-NFC TEAM
Offense
QB - Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers
RB - Doug Martin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers; Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings
WR - Odell Beckham Jr., New York Giants; Julio Jones, Atlanta Falcons
TE - Greg Olsen, Carolina Panthers
C - Ryan Kalil, Carolina Panthers
G - Zack Martin, Dallas Cowboys; Josh Sitton, Green Bay Packers
T - Tyron Smith, Dallas Cowboys; Trent Williams, Washington Redskins
Defense
DE - Ezekiel Ansah, Detroit Lions; Michael Bennett, Seattle Seahawks
DT - Aaron Donald, St. Louis Rams; Kawann Short, Carolina Panthers
OLB - Thomas Davis, Carolina Panthers; Lavonte David, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
MLB - Luke Kuechly, Carolina Panthers
CB - Josh Norman, Carolina Panthers; Patrick Peterson, Arizona Cardinals
S - Tyrann Mathieu, Arizona Cardinals; Earl Thomas, Seattle Seahawks
Special Teams
PK - Dan Bailey, Dallas Cowboys
P - Johnny Hekker, St. Louis Rams
KR - Cordarrelle Patterson, Minnesota Vikings
PR - Darren Sproles, Philadelphia Eagles
ST - Justin Bethel, Arizona Cardinals