Geno Atkins makes PFWA All-AFC Team; Andrew Whitworth snubbed

Geno Atkins is still among the NFL’s best defensive lineman.

On Monday, Atkins was named to the 2016 All-AFC team by the Pro Football Writers of America. No Bengals made the PFWA All-NFL Team, and Atkins was the only Bengal to make the All-AFC list.

Atkins, who just finished his seventh NFL season, started all 16 games in 2016 and finished with 32 total tackles, nine sacks, and was ranked ninth among interior defensive lineman by Pro Football Focus (accounts for 4-3 and 3-4 defensive tackles. His nine sacks were the most by any defensive tackle in the league this season.

In 2015, Atkins started in all 16 games while notching 11 sacks, which was 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 second in scoring defense and fifth in opponent passer rating (78.9).

That helped Atkins earn All Pro recognition and a spot in the 2016 Pro Bowl. He may have missed out on the All-Pro team this year, but he did earn a spot in the 2017 Pro Bowl.

But while Atkins making the All-AFC team is nice, Andrew Whitworth being snubbed for it in favor of Donald Penn is a disgrace. Penn had a good year with the Raiders, but he wasn’t in the same class as Whitworth, who finished second among offensive tackle in PFF’s rankings (Penn finished 12th).

Alas, when you only win six games, many players won’t get the credit they deserve. Whitworth was a victim of the Bengals’ poor season.

2016 PFWA ALL-NFL TEAM

Offense

QB – Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons

RB – Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas Cowboys; David Johnson, Arizona Cardinals

WR – Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh Steelers; Julio Jones, Atlanta Falcons

TE – Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs

C – Travis Frederick, Dallas Cowboys

G – Zack Martin, Dallas Cowboys; Kelechi Osemele, Oakland Raiders

T – Tyron Smith, Dallas Cowboys; Joe Thomas, Cleveland Browns

Defense

DE – Jadeveon Clowney, Houston Texans; Khalil Mack, Oakland Raiders

DT – Aaron Donald, Los Angeles Rams; Damon Harrison, New York Giants

OLB – Vic Beasley, Atlanta Falcons; Von Miller, Denver Broncos

MLB – Bobby Wagner, Seattle Seahawks

CB – Marcus Peters, Kansas City Chiefs; Aqib Talib, Denver Broncos

S – Eric Berry, Kansas City Chiefs; Landon Collins, New York Giants

Special Teams

PK – Justin Tucker, Baltimore Ravens

P – Johnny Hekker, Los Angeles Rams

KR – Cordarrelle Patterson, Minnesota Vikings

PR – Tyreek Hill, Kansas City Chiefs

ST – Matthew Slater, New England Patriots

2016 PFWA ALL-AFC TEAM

Offense

QB – Tom Brady, New England Patriots

RB – Le’Veon Bell, Pittsburgh Steelers, DeMarco Murray, Tennessee Titans

WR – Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh Steelers; T.Y. Hilton, Indianapolis Colts

TE – Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs

C – Rodney Hudson, Oakland Raiders

G – Kelechi Osemele, Oakland Raiders; Marshal Yanda, Baltimore Ravens

T – Donald Penn, Oakland Raiders; Joe Thomas, Cleveland Browns

Defense

DE – Jadeveon Clowney, Houston Texans; Khalil Mack, Oakland Raiders

DT – Geno Atkins, Cincinnati Bengals; Ndamukong Suh, Miami Dolphins

OLB – Lorenzo Alexander, Buffalo Bills; Von Miller, Denver Broncos

MLB – Dont’a Hightower, New England Patriots

CB – Marcus Peters, Kansas City Chiefs; Aqib Talib, Denver Broncos

S – Eric Berry, Kansas City Chiefs; Devin McCourty, New England Patriots

Special Teams

PK – Justin Tucker, Baltimore Ravens

P – Pat McAfee, Indianapolis Colts

KR – Tyreek Hill, Kansas City Chiefs

PR – Tyreek Hill, Kansas City Chiefs

ST – Matthew Slater, New England Patriots

2016 PFWA ALL-NFC TEAM

Offense

QB – Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons

RB – Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas Cowboys; David Johnson, Arizona Cardinals

WR – Odell Beckham Jr., New York Giants; Julio Jones, Atlanta Falcons

TE – Greg Olsen, Carolina Panthers

C – Travis Frederick, Dallas Cowboys

G – T.J. Lang, Green Bay Packers; Zack Martin, Dallas Cowboys

T – Tyron Smith, Dallas Cowboys; Trent Williams, Washington Redskins

Defense

DE – Cliff Avril, Seattle Seahawks; Brandon Graham, Philadelphia Eagles

DT – Aaron Donald, Los Angeles Rams; Damon Harrison, New York Giants

OLB – Vic Beasley, Atlanta Falcons; Ryan Kerrigan, Washington Redskins

MLB – Bobby Wagner, Seattle Seahawks

CB – Janoris Jenkins, New York Giants; Patrick Peterson, Arizona Cardinals

S – Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Green Bay Packers; Landon Collins, New York Giants

Special Teams

PK – Matt Bryant, Atlanta Falcons

P – Johnny Hekker, Los Angeles Rams

KR – Cordarrelle Patterson, Minnesota Vikings

PR – Marcus Sherels, Minnesota Vikings

ST – Dwayne Harris, New York Giants