Joe Burrow (QB, Bengals) gave the NFL an excellent season… for nothing. The Bengals failed at the gates of the playoffs by starting too far. If a tiny hope persisted it is above all thanks to Joe Burrow. The quarterback receives honors by becoming the AFC Offensive Player of the Month for December.
This is the second successive award of this type for Joe Burrow, already crowned in November. We have to go back to October and November of the 2021 season to find another offensive player achieving this feat (Jonathan Taylor).
Indeed, in 6 games between December and January the leader of the Bengals brought his team to victory 5 times, completed 186 passes out of 244 for 1890 yards, 16 touchdowns and 5 interceptions.
In the AFC, Derwin James (S, Chargers) is the recipient of defensive player of the month thanks to 7 tackles for loss including three sacks and his two passes defended including an interception as well as a fumble recovery. Jason Sanders (K, Dolphins) is the winner for Special Teams Player of the Month. And the kicker does as well as Joe Burrow by winning the title for two consecutive months.
On the NFC side, the Western Conference is in the spotlight. Leonard Williams (DT, Seahawks) is the defender of the month. His 92-yard pick-6 helped a lot. And Rams kicker Joshua Karty becomes December's special teams player of the month. He was the author of a 100% success rate over the period.
In attack, it is Jahmyr Gibbs (RB, Lions) who accompanies them. His slightly heavier workload with the sporadic absence of David Montgomery allowed him to gain 439 yards and 6 touchdowns rushing and 235 yards and 3 touchdowns receiving.
Among the rookies, Brian Thomas Jr. (WR, Jaguars) is elected to the AFC. And Edgerrin Cooper (LB, Packers) is his counterpart in the NFC. The first two years immediately became cornerstones for their teams and are rightly rewarded for their year and end to the season.
NFC Conference
– Offensive: Jahmyr Gibbs (RB, Lions): 439 yards and 6 touchdowns on the ground, 24 receptions for 235 yards and 3 touchdowns
– Defensive: Leonard Williams (DT, Seahawks): 33 tackles, including 9 for loss and 6 sacks, 92-yard interception for touchdown
-Special teams: Joshua Karty (K, Rams): 13/13 FG
AFC Conference
– Offensive: Joe Burrow (QB, Bengals): 186/244 passes, 1890 yards, 16 touchdowns, 5 interceptions
– Defensive: Derwin James (S, Chargers): 28 tackles including 7 for loss and 3 sacks, two passes defended including an interception, a fumble covered
– Special teams: Jason Sanders (K, Dolphins): 15/15 FG including 5/5 over 50 yards
Rookies
– Offensive: Brian Thomas Jr. (WR, Jaguars): 45 receptions, 593 yards, 5 touchdowns
– Defensive: Edgerrin Cooper (LB, Packers): 35 tackles including 8 for loss and a sack, two passes defended including an interception, a fumble covered
