Bengals Week 17 "Unsung Hero Of The Week Award" Versus Steelers

We've already run through our weekly MVP Award nominees, so now it's time to look at some of the other contributors in the team's loss to the Steelers on Sunday Night. There was a handful of guys in stripes that did their jobs well without the fanfare in an effort to grab a divisional crown. Cast your vote and sound off on your winner!

A.J. Green, WR: Yes, he had the late critical fumble and a miscommunication that led to one of Andy Dalton's interceptions, but he was also the leading receiver on the afternoon. He led the Bengals with eight catches for 82 yards and likely would have had more in each category, had Dalton not sailed a throw for an interception early on.

Jermaine Gresham, TE: Gresham blocked relatively well on the evening, helping Jeremy Hill to his 100-yard performance, but he was also gritty in the passing game. Big No. 84 had three catches for 20 yards, including a high-effort five-yard touchdown grab where he came up gimpy. The score brought the game to 20-17 in the fourth quarter.

Ryan Hewitt, TE/HB: The rookie just continues to get better each week. He was again a force as a blocker in the running game, but also grabbed three catches for 31 yards. One catch was a 19-yarder on a 2nd and 20, making it manageable to lead to a field goal attempt later in the drive.

Adam Jones, CB/KR: "Pacman" seemed to get the Bengals offense with decent starting position with each kick return, didn't he? Though he never popped a huge return, he averaged 29 yards per return on the evening, giving Dalton and Co. decent starting spots with almost every return. He also had a tackle on defense.

Mike Nugent, K: Yes, he missed an attempt on the evening, but very few 50-yarders are made at Heinz Field--particularly in the dead of winter. He did make a big 39-yarder and made two other extra points on the night.

Dane Sanzenbacher, WR/ST: The receiver has struggled to find a role on offense this season, but did have a catch for seven yards. He also had a huge play on special teams, grabbing an interception on a fake punt attempt by the Steelers in the fourth quarter. The play set up the Bengals with great field position on a drive that could have tied or brought them ahead late.

Andrew Whitworth, OT: Can't forget the big guy. Though the interior of the line didn't play well, letting up two of the three sacks on the night, "Big Whit" was awesome. He stymied James Harrison all evening, basically swallowing him up at every opportunity. Whitworth had no pressures or sacks allowed and had a +2.3 overall score from Pro Football Focus.