Record-breaking kicker honored as Miami hopes to add to streak
The Miami Dolphins may have one of the most dependable kickers in the NFL— and hewas rewarded for his sizzling start to the season.
Dolphins kicker Jason Sanders earned AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors Wednesday for his standout performance against the San Francisco 49ers.
Sanders made all five of his field goals and all four of his extrapoint kicks to help Miami secure a 43-17 blowout win over the 49ers last Sunday in Santa Clara, Calif.
Sanders, who also kicked five field goals against the Seattle Seahawks a week earlier, has set a Dolphins franchise record with 14consecutive field goals to begin a season. He also has made all 10 of his extra-point kicks.
“I’m off to a good start,” Sanders said. “I don’t want to be able to look at stats and say, ‘Wow, I should’ve made this one or I should’ve made that one.’ I just want to walk out of the stadium 100 percent, whether its PATs or field goals.”
The Dolphins, who host the floundering New York Jets (0-5) on Sunday at Hard Rock Stadium, could also be in line for another player of the week honor next week.
Arizona Cardinals star quarter back Kyler Mur ray was named NFC Offensive Player of the Week on Wednesday, marking a quirky streak of three consecutive times a player has won such an award after facing the Jets.
Colts corner back Xavier Rhodes won AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors in Week 3 after two interceptions, including a pick-six, against the Jets.
Denver Broncos kicker Brandon McManus earned Special Teams Player of the Week after kicking two 50-yard field goals in the fourthquarter to beat the Jets in Week 4.
Sanders became the fifth NFL kicker since 1991— and first since 2010— to make five field goals in back-to-back games.
Sanders scored 34 points in the past twogames— themost points scored by a Dolphins player in a two-game span in team history.
Dating to last season, Sanders has made 16 consecutive field goals, which is the third-longest streak in team history behind Garo Yepremian, whomade 17 in a row in 1978, and Olindo Mare, who kicked 19 straight in 2000.
For Sanders, this is his third career AFC Player of the Week award after winning it twice last season. He also was named AFC Special Teams Player of the Month last December.
“He’s been great the entire year and he’s taking real ownership of his craft.… This guyi s [as] diligent about his craft as anyone I’ve been around,” Dolphins coach Brian Flores said of Sanders.
“I’m really happy for him and the success he’s had individually, but it’s really helped us as a team.”