Another week, and another round of recognition for Vikings special teamers.
The Professional Football Writers of America (PFWA) on Monday announced that Vikings kick return specialist Cordarrelle Patterson was named to the organization's All-NFL Team for a second consecutive season. The PFWA also selected Vikings punt return specialist Marcus Sherels to its All-NFC Team.
Patterson was named All-Pro and selected to the Pro Bowl, which will be held Jan. 29 in Orlando, Florida. He led the NFL with a kickoff return average of 31.7 that was fueled by a 104-yard touchdown to open the second half in a win against the Cardinals.
Sherels returned two punts for touchdowns: a 54-yarder in a win at Carolina and a 79-yarder in a home triumph against Houston. He averaged 13.9 yards per punt return, which ranked second in the NFL. Sherels is Minnesota's career punt return average leader and expanded his franchise record for punt return touchdowns to five in 2016.
The PFWA's All-NFL, All-AFC and All-NFC teams follow:
2016 PFWA ALL-NFL TEAM
Offense
QB – Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons
RB – Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas Cowboys; David Johnson, Arizona Cardinals
WR – Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh Steelers#; Julio Jones, Atlanta Falcons*
TE – Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs
C – Travis Frederick, Dallas Cowboys
G – Zack Martin, Dallas Cowboys*; Kelechi Osemele, Oakland Raiders
T – Tyron Smith, Dallas Cowboys#; Joe Thomas, Cleveland Browns&
Defense
DE – Jadeveon Clowney, Houston Texans; Khalil Mack, Oakland Raiders*
DT – Aaron Donald, Los Angeles Rams*; Damon Harrison, New York Giants
OLB – Vic Beasley, Atlanta Falcons; Von Miller, Denver Broncos#
MLB – Bobby Wagner, Seattle Seahawks
CB – Marcus Peters, Kansas City Chiefs; Aqib Talib, Denver Broncos
S – Eric Berry, Kansas City Chiefs*; Landon Collins, New York Giants
Special Teams
PK – Justin Tucker, Baltimore Ravens
P – Johnny Hekker, Los Angeles Rams*
KR – Cordarrelle Patterson, Minnesota Vikings*
PR – Tyreek Hill, Kansas City Chiefs
ST – Matthew Slater, New England Patriots
- repeat selection from 2015
- consecutive selections from 2014-16
& - consecutive selections from 2013-16
2016 PFWA ALL-AFC TEAM
Offense
QB – Tom Brady, New England Patriots#
RB – Le'Veon Bell, Pittsburgh Steelers, DeMarco Murray, Tennessee Titans
WR – Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh Steelers&; T.Y. Hilton, Indianapolis Colts
TE – Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs
C – Rodney Hudson, Oakland Raiders*
G – Kelechi Osemele, Oakland Raiders; Marshal Yanda, Baltimore Ravens#
T – Donald Penn, Oakland Raiders; Joe Thomas, Cleveland Browns&
Defense
DE – Jadeveon Clowney, Houston Texans; Khalil Mack, Oakland Raiders*
DT – Geno Atkins, Cincinnati Bengals; Ndamukong Suh, Miami Dolphins
OLB – Lorenzo Alexander, Buffalo Bills; Von Miller, Denver Broncos&
MLB – Dont'a Hightower, New England Patriots
CB – Marcus Peters, Kansas City Chiefs*; Aqib Talib, Denver Broncos
S – Eric Berry, Kansas City Chiefs*; Devin McCourty, New England Patriots
Special Teams
PK – Justin Tucker, Baltimore Ravens
P – Pat McAfee, Indianapolis Colts
KR – Tyreek Hill, Kansas City Chiefs
PR – Tyreek Hill, Kansas City Chiefs
ST – Matthew Slater, New England Patriots@
- repeat selection from 2014
- consecutive selections from 2014-16
& - consecutive selections from 2013-16
@ - consecutive selections from 2011-16
2016 PFWA ALL-NFC TEAM
Offense
QB – Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons
RB – Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas Cowboys; David Johnson, Arizona Cardinals
WR – Odell Beckham Jr., New York Giants; Julio Jones, Atlanta Falcons
TE – Greg Olsen, Carolina Panthers#
C – Travis Frederick, Dallas Cowboys
G – T.J. Lang, Green Bay Packers; Zack Martin, Dallas Cowboys#
T – Tyron Smith, Dallas Cowboys#; Trent Williams, Washington Redskins*
Defense
DE – Cliff Avril, Seattle Seahawks; Brandon Graham, Philadelphia Eagles
DT – Aaron Donald, Los Angeles Rams*; Damon Harrison, New York Giants
OLB – Vic Beasley, Atlanta Falcons; Ryan Kerrigan, Washington Redskins
MLB – Bobby Wagner, Seattle Seahawks
CB – Janoris Jenkins, New York Giants; Patrick Peterson, Arizona Cardinals*
S – Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Green Bay Packers; Landon Collins, New York Giants
Special Teams
PK – Matt Bryant, Atlanta Falcons
P – Johnny Hekker, Los Angeles Rams&
KR – Cordarrelle Patterson, Minnesota Vikings*
PR – Marcus Sherels, Minnesota Vikings
ST – Dwayne Harris, New York Giants
- repeat selection from 2015
- consecutive selections from 2014-16
& - consecutive selections from 2013-16
