Now that we are about halfway through the regular season, it is time to start considering which players are deserving of the Pro Bowl. For this series, we will look at the three most deserving candidates for each team. Obviously, some teams will have more or less than three players selected to the Pro Bowl, but for simplicity purposes, we will discuss the top three either way.
TOP MIDSEASON PRO BOWL CANDIDATES: CINCINNATI BENGALS
GENO ATKINS
Geno Atkins is a sure fire Pro Bowler, and he may be back to the All-Pro status he received in 2012. Atkins has made three Pro Bowls, including last season, and in a side-by-side comparison, he may double his production this year. Last year he recorded three sacks, 22 tackles, and 14 assisted tackles in 16 games, after coming off an ACL tear in 2013. Atkins first two Pro Bowls came in 2011 and 2012 and in 2012 he put up 12.5 sacks, to go with 39 tackles and 15 assists, and he clearly earned his All-Pro status. Now in 2015, almost two years to the day from when he sustained his crucial injury, Atkins looks like he is closer to his 2012 self. He is on pace for 12 sacks, 30 tackles, and 18 assists, and his added boost to the defensive line seems to be the least talked about reason for the Bengals great success so far this season. Atkins should be a clear-cut Pro Bowler, and should be back in the talk of best defensive tackles in the game.
CARLOS DUNLAP
Carlos Dunlap has yet to make a Pro Bowl, but this season, his sixth year, appears to be a clear break out year for the talented defensive end. Dunlap recorded a career high in sacks in 2010 with 9.5 but he hasn’t gotten to that status since. However, in 2014 he got back on track with 8 sacks, and now this year he is blowing up already having recorded 8.5 sacks in eight games this season. Dunlap recorded two sacks Thursday night against the Cleveland Browns, which put him tied for first in the league with Chandler Jones and JJ Watt. To be fair to Jones, Watt and Dunlap have played one more game, but there is no doubt that Dunlap is now on the list of the top pass rushers in the game. With the Bengals sure to have more leads this season, it should be easy for Dunlap to continue to pin his ears back knowing the pass is coming. This should continue into Pro Bowl recognition this year.
ANDY DALTON
Andy Dalton is shooting for Pro Bowl number three, and while most times that headline would lead to a snarky remark, the red rocket deserves nothing but praise this year. Dalton is third in the league of qualified passers in yards per attempt, third in the league in touchdowns, and his interceptions sit only behind Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady and Derek Carr for quarterbacks with seven starts. With a 67% completion percentage and a variety of skill players this seems to be the year of Andy, and he seems to be a shoe in to make the Pro Bowl. He even has the argument to be a starter, if he is not starting in a bigger game the week after.
With an 8-0 team it becomes tough to just highlight three Pro Bowl worthy players. AJ Green should have no problem making the Pro Bowl, and neither should Tyler Eifert who has nine touchdowns in eight games. You could make an argument for the entire Bengals offensive line to get some Pro Bowl love, but I would assume if any, Andrew Whitworth and Russell Bodine have the best chances to get the recognition.
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