Bengals Week Eight "Unsung Hero Of The Week Award"

On a day where plays were being made by nearly everyone donning the orange and black, we're going to have to choose some of the ones that immediately spring to mind. Again, the "Unsung Hero of the Week Award" rarely includes the Bengals players on our MVP nominations. Here is who we have as some of the bigger contributors that many have gone a little overlooked:

James Harrison: Though the former Steelers terror hasn't had the loudest of seasons for the Bengals, he has made plays when needed and solidified the linebacker corps. Statistically speaking, Harrison had his best day as a Bengal. He finished with six tackles,a sack and another quarterback hit. In a game where Cincinnati only allowed nine points to the opposition, Harrison should be commended.

Chris Crocker: This guy is on his annual Bengals tour and continues to help the team's cause. With the team reeling from the loss of cornerback Leon Hall, Crocker has stepped in to help out with coverage in the slot. He did a masterful job on Sunday with seven tackles, two passes defensed and an interception return for a touchdown. Not bad for a guy who joined the team just a few weeks ago.

Reggie Nelson: Another safety on the Bengals had a big day in a different capacity. Nelson was used as a blitzer on Sunday versus the Jets and came through big. He had a sack and another quarterback hit (which he could have been credited with the sack on as well) and two total tackles. He was also part of a stout pass defense that limited the Jets offense to short passing plays all game long.

Vontaze Burfict: He's either an MVP or "Unsung Hero" nominee every week, right? Burfict led the team in tackles once again with 11, one of which was for a loss. He also had a pass defensed and was omnipresent once again on Sunday. Burfict currently owns the NFL tackle crown with 85 total.

Jermaine Gresham: After coming off of one of the biggest up-and-down games of his career last week against the Lions, Gresham had a decent day against the Jets. He caught the only touchdown that Marvin Jones didn't snag on the day and had one more catch to boot. He didn't do anything outstanding this week, but was fired up and it was great to see the guy get up off of the mat after getting so much heat last week.

Brandon Tate: For a guy that has earned the ire of so many Bengals fans over the past two and a half seasons, Tate has had a couple of nice games this season. He helped in both the punt and kick return games with a couple of big jolts in both aspects. He had a 71-yard kick return that set up a Bengals score and another nice 13-yard return on a punt. He managed 133 yards and a 33.3 yards per kickoff return average on Sunday.

Brandon Thompson: The big guy who has been quiet since landing with the Bengals in the third round of last year's draft had a nice game on Sunday. He contributed to the harassment of Geno Smith with a sack and a quarterback hit. He finished with four tackles and helped keep the front line fresh as a quality role player who rotates in.

Who gets your vote for the Week Eight "Unsung Hero of the Week Award"?