David Akers Named Week 17 NFC Special Teams Player of the Week

by David Fucillo on Jan 4, 2012 11:30 AM PST in San Francisco 49ers News

It should surprise nobody that David Akers earned his second consecutive NFC special teams player of the week honor for his Week 17 performance. Akers had two field goals, four extra points and his first career touchdown pass on a perfectly executed fake field goal attempt. This was his second straight award and the third straight for the 49ers. Andy Lee took home the honors in Week 15. The 49ers are the first team since the 2007 Chargers to win three straight awards.

This final award is a cap on what has been a dominant 2011 for David Akers. He has always been a great kicker, but he had arguably his finest season in his 14-year career. He set NFL records for most field goals attempted (52) and made (44) as well as the most points by a player without scoring a touchdown (166).

Akers would not have reached some of these marks if not for offensive struggles, but even still, having a money kicker is huge. The 49ers were coming off a very solid kicker in Joe Nedney, but Akers has taken it to a whole new level, most notably his dominance on 50+ field goals. It'd be nice if the offense punched in touchdowns every drive, but that doesn't always happen. Having someone who is pretty automatic is a nice assist.

Tweet Comment 8 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

More TD passes than Tebow last Sunday.

Attack this day with an enthusiasm unknown to mankind. ~ Jack Harbaugh

by Virginia9er on Jan 4, 2012 12:02 PM PST reply actions

I would have given it to Lee again.

I know DA threw the pass but Andy was awesome. Punt inside the 5 called back…no prob. I will just drop inside the 1.

Joe, Jerry, Steve, and....Who is next?

by 16to80fan on Jan 4, 2012 12:08 PM PST reply actions

yea he killed it...

56.8yds punting avg for the game

Niners,Nets,Reds & USC!!!

The Most Interesting Man In The World---->Mikhail Prokhorov!!!

by Kidd2Petrovic on Jan 4, 2012 12:48 PM PST up reply actions

Indeed

No problem giving it to Akers, but when Lee dropped it even closer to the goal line the second time, I knew there was a reason we refer to him as the Death Star.

"Football combines the two worst things about America: It is violence punctuated by committee meetings" -George Will

by lottwasgangsta on Jan 4, 2012 2:01 PM PST up reply actions

Is Harbaugh coach of the Year? / Is Alex comeback player of the Year?

Both clearly are AMAZING stories.

Could Frank Gore coming back from his season ending hip injury the comeback player of the year?

Could Justin Smith be the NFC defensive player of the year?

Is Trent Balke the GM of the year?

This Icing On The Cake Would Be NFC Champions….then Super Bowl

by BigMar on Jan 4, 2012 12:33 PM PST reply actions

There is only one DPOY

It’s not like each conference gets one.

Sadly, it will probably go to Jared Allen (sacks), or Terrell Suggs (which I can’t actually complain about). Justin gets my vote, and is one of a select few players who have earned the right to be considered.

"Football combines the two worst things about America: It is violence punctuated by committee meetings" -George Will

by lottwasgangsta on Jan 4, 2012 2:02 PM PST up reply actions