Arizona Cardinals running back Tyler Allgeier was recently recognized as the NFC Offensive Player of the Week. Here is the list of recipients for Week 8:
NFC:
- Tyler Allgeier, RB, Arizona Cardinals
- Alex Anzalone, LB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Jack Fox, P, Detroit Lions
AFC:
- Tee Higgins, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
- Rayuan Lane, S, Jacksonville Jaguars
- Dylan Laube, RB, Las Vegas Raiders
Tyler Allgeier was the NFC Offensive Player of the Week
Tyler Allgeier had a breakout game for Arizona, finishing with 147 rushing yards and a touchdown on 11 carries and five receptions for 44 yards and a touchdown. It's the first Player of the Week recognition of his career, but now the third of the season for the Cardinals.
In Week 1, Simi Fehoko was recognized as the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week. He blocked a key fourth-quarter punt against the Los Angeles Chargers, allowing Arizona to seal the upset with a touchdown on the other end by Trey McBride.
Then, in Week 6, kicker Chad Ryland won the honor. He accounted for all 18 of the Cardinals' points in their upset against the Rams, including a game-winning 43-yard field goal to put them up 18-16.
This time around it wasn't a special teams contribution, but rather running back Allgeier, who was recognized for helping the Cardinals pull off the upset. They've pulled off three upsets this season, and each time someone has won a Player of the Week honor.
Mike LaFleur needs to expand Tyler Allgeier's role in Cardinals' offense
But now the Cardinals need contributions from all three of these recipients -- Fehoko, Ryland, and Allgeier -- to keep their season alive.
Fehoko is suddenly WR2 on the Cardinals depth chart heading into Week 9 after injuries to Kendrick Bourne and Jalen Brooks. Ryland remains an important part of Arizona's offense, though they'd like more production as red-zone struggles continue. They fared better under Minshew against the Cowboys, so hopefully the switch improves red-zone execution going forward.
Meanwhile, Allgeier was off to a slow start to the season but finally exploded against the Cowboys. How much was that because of Dallas' Swiss cheese defense, and how much was Allgeier turning a corner? We're not expecting another surprising Player of the Week performance, but the Cardinals will have to rely on him heavily going forward, with yet another ankle injury to Jeremiyah Love.
Arizona's rookie is expected to miss four to five weeks with a high ankle sprain. Bam Knight's status remains up in the air against Seattle as he remains in concussion protocol after suffering a head injury against the Cowboys.
The injuries to Love and Knight created a potential window for James Conner to return, though Mike LaFleur has said the Cardinals veteran isn't ready yet. Evan Hull would be the next man up if Knight can't go. He's a hard runner but not what the Cardinals had in mind after their steep offseason investments.
LaFleur hasn't liked to use Allgeier in a bell-cow role, viewing him more as a complementary back in this offense. But with his efficient production in just 11 carries and a depleted running back room, Allgeier is proving he deserves a bigger role in this offense. LaFleur may have no choice but to give it to him, and if this Player of the Week honor is any indication, that may not be such a bad thing.
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