Sean Morey, a chunk of grass still lodged in his facemask, goes to see his teammates after his game-ending punt block against Dallas Sunday. 

Sean Morey said it's a standing order from Cardinals special teams coach Kevin Spencer when playing for the punt return team: At the line of scrimmage, if the man you are blocking doesn't block you, head for the spot of the punt.

That's what Morey did Sunday in overtime against Dallas, smothering both the kick and punter Mat McBriar. The ball was picked up and run in for a touchdown by teammate Monty Beisel, the Cardinals had a dramatic and important 30-24 victory, and Tuesday, Morey was chosen as the NFC special teams player of the week.

Morey, a co-special teams captain with Aaron Francisco, tied a career-high with four special teams tackles against the Cowboys. He also fielded and returned a Dallas pooch kickoff late in the game.

"I only get a handful of plays," Morey said, "so I have to make them count."

The win over the Cowboys proved a good day for Arizona's special teams unit. Not only did Morey's play spark the first overtime win on a blocked punt touchdown in NFL history, but teammate J.J. Arrington opened the game with a 93-yard kickoff return for a score.

It was the first time since at least the 1970 AFL-NFL merger that a team scored a touchdown on both the first and last play of a game.

It the first time Morey, who blocked one punt last season for Arizona, has won a player of the week award in his eight NFL seasons. It was the 13th time a Cardinal has won the NFC's special teams award.

"It's a sign of what our team has done," Morey said. "Awards come to the good teams that win games. As a close special-teams unit, I think there were a lot of guys that were a factor in that game. I really feel fortunate to have an opportunity to make a play at a time in the game when the game was on the line. I was in the right place at the right time."

Current Cardinals Steve Breaston (for his touchdown punt return against Pittsburgh last season) and kicker Neil Rackers (twice, in 2004 and 2005) have also won the special teams award.

Contact Darren Urban at askdarren@cardinals.nfl.net. Posted 10/14/08. Updated 10/14/08.