The Kansas City Chiefs didn't score more than a single touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, yet they still notched 25 points in the game. The team leaned heavily on kicker Harrison Butker to help carry them to victory, and the veteran is getting some big-time recognition for stepping up to the plate.
On Wednesday, it was announced that Butker was named the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week for Week 17.
This is the fifth career Special Teams Player of the Week win for Butker, who hasn't been honored in that regard since the 2020 campaign. He appeared on the list twice in 2017, once in 2019, once in 2020 and now once this year. In Sunday's AFC West-clinching win, Butker knocked in all six of his field goal attempts — two from 20-29 yards, three from 40-49 yards and one from 50-plus yards out. He also went a perfect 1-for-1 on extra points.
It's been a terrific season for Butker, as his 93.9% field goal make rate is a new career-high. He's bounced back in a big way from easily his worst year, a 2022 season derailed by an ankle injury and some inconsistency upon his return. From Weeks 1-14 of this season, Butker went 23-for-23 on the field goals. After consecutive games with a miss, he got back on track with his personal best six kicks made on Sunday.
Butker becomes the second Chief to be named a Player of the Week this season. Thanks to a 298-yard, two-touchdown performance in a 31-17 win over the Las Vegas Raiders, quarterback Patrick Mahomes got named Offensive Player of the Week for Week 12. With just one game left in the regular season, Kansas City's Sunday matchup versus the Los Angeles Chargers will be the final opportunity for a member of the team to win a weekly award.
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