Chandler Catanzaro named NFC Special Team Player of the Week

On Wednesday, the league announced Arizona Cardinals rookie kicker Candler Catanzaro was named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week, being honored for his performance against the Washington Redskins.

Catanzaro connected on all three field goal attempts (33, 49, and 33 yards) in Sunday's win, extending his franchise rookie record by converting all 14 field goal attempts so far this season. His 14 straight made field goals to start the season is the second-longest streak in franchise history (31, Neil Rackers, 2008) to begin the year.

The rookie free agent from Clemson has 50 total points this season, which ranks second in the NFL among rookies (Cody Parkey, 57) and Catanzaro is second in made field goals only behind New England's Stephen Gostkowski (16).

This is Catanzaro's first career selection as Special Teams Player of the Week and he becomes the first rookie since Patrick Peterson in Week 12 of 2011 to win Player of the Week honors. Catanzaro also becomes only the seventh Cardinals rookie in team history to be selected as Player of the Week, joining Peterson, kick returner LaRod Stephens-Howling (Special Teams, Week 12-2009), punt returner Steve Breaston (Special Teams, Week 4-2007), kicker Bill Gramatica (Special Teams, Week 11-2001), running back Ron Moore (Offensive, Week 14 and 17-1993) and cornerback Lonnie Young (Defensive, Week 14-1985).

Catanzaro is the 15th different player to be honored as Special Teams Player of the Week and it is also the 22nd time in team history that a Cardinal was selected as Special Teams Player of the Week.

He becomes the second player this season to be named "Special Teams Player of the Week" after Ted Ginn, Jr. was selected following the Cardinals win over the Giants in Week 2. It is the first time since 2009 that two different Cardinals players were each named Special Teams Player of the Week (Stephens-Howling, Ben Graham).