Kicker Jay Feely celebrates his 55-yard field goal Sunday against Denver.




He nearly broke the NFL record for points from a kicker in a game and for a while, was the only scoring any points for either side – so much so that CBS put up a graphic at one point declaring the score "Jay Feely 22, Denver 3."

So Wednesday's decision to make Feely the NFC special teams player of the week was all but expected. In the Cardinals' 43-13 blowout win over the Broncos Sunday, Feely kicked five field goals (just missing a sixth), made a tackle on a kickoff and ran for a touchdown from five yards out on a fake field goal that repeatedly made the highlight shows over the weekend.

The most memorable moment for Feely didn't happen until after the game, however. That's when he motioned for his 7-year-old son Jace to come down by the railing by the field to be lifted up and over to join Dad in the post-game locker room and interview sessions.

"I've thought about doing it my whole career," Feely said. "I always hoped I would play long enough that he would be old enough to really appreciate it.

"It was pretty special for a father and son to do that together."

It was also pretty special for Feely to have the game he had. The right groin injury he suffered the previous week against the Rams was bothering him enough that he was uncertain how effective he would be against the Broncos.

"To have a game like that when you don't even feel your best, it adds to the uniqueness of it," Feely said.

Feely is in the midst of a Pro Bowl-type year, having booted 20 of 22 field goals. His 25 points against Denver – six on the touchdown, 15 on field goals, four on extra points – was one shy of an NFL record for kickers. Signed as a free agent in the offseason to replace Neil Rackers, Feely has exceeded expectations.

"Tough guy, business-like, works hard, guys love him," coach Ken Whisenhunt said. "Those are the kind of guys you want on the team."

It's Feely's second career selection as special teams player of the week. His first selection came back in 2002, while playing for Atlanta. It's the 18th time in team history that a Cardinal was selected as Special Teams Player of the Week and Feely is the 13th different player to be honored. The last Arizona special teamer to win it was punter Ben Graham in Week 15 last season.

"It's been a while for me," Feely said. "You have to have a good week in a week someone doesn't have an extraordinary game. Anytime you win an award from the NFL, it's special."