Kicker Chandler Catanzaro makes one of his three field goals Sunday against Washington.
Coach Bruce Arians doesn't like settling for field goals on offense, but it helps knowing the three points are virtually automatic.
Chandler Catanzaro continued the impressive start to his NFL career in Sunday's 30-20 win over the Redskins, making all three of his field goal attempts with a long of 49 yards to earn the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week award. The Cardinals' rookie kicker has now converted all 14 of his tries to begin the year, just one away from tying the NFL rookie record of 15 set by Rams kicker Greg Zuerlein in 2012.
"I guess I'm the guy here," said Catanzaro, who beat out veteran Jay Feely to win the job in training camp. "I have to be a rock out there and be confident no matter what happens, no
matter what comes my way. I know there's probably going to be some adversity throughout the season, but I'm looking forward to being the rock out there that my team needs me to be."
Catanzaro connected on a 33-yard field goal in the third quarter and hit the 49-yarder early in the fourth quarter to extend the lead to seven points. He made it a two-possession game on a 37-yarder with 10:27 remaining, which was important because Washington pulled to within 23-20 on a late touchdown. He also forced touchbacks on six of his seven kickoffs.
The undrafted free agent out of Clemson has 50 points on the year, second in the NFL among rookies behind Eagles kicker Cody Parkey (57). Catanzaro has made the second-most field goals in the league, trailing only Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski (16).
Catanzaro is the second Cardinals player to be named Special Teams Player of the Week this season after Ted Ginn won the award for his 71-yard punt return touchdown against the Giants in Week 2.
It is Catanzaro's first Player of the Week honor and he becomes the first rookie since cornerback Patrick Peterson in Week 12 of 2011 to win a Player of the Week award. He joins Peterson, kick returner LaRod Stephens-Howling (2009), punt returner Steve Breaston (2007), kicker Bill Gramatica (2001), running back Ron Moore (1993) and cornerback Lonnie Young (1985) as the seven Cardinals rookies to be selected Player of the Week.
