The unsung hero of the week: Lawrence Tynes

Stevie Brown and Jason Pierre-Paul were the standout stars in the New York Giants' squeak-by-'em 29-24 win over the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, with their bushel of interceptions, a fumble recovery, a sack, a touchdown and 10 tackles between them. But with the lack of firepower by the offense, what would the team have done without Lawrence Tynes? Given prime field position by the defense all afternoon long, the offense had to settle for field goals, and the steady-as-a-rock Tynes was there to deliver.

The kicker went 5-for-5 in field-goal attempts, booting them from 41, 37, 26, 43 and 37 yards. He leads the NFL in field goals made this season, with 24, and field-goal attempts, with 26. He's a perfect 19-for-19 within the 40-yard line, 5-for-6 between the 40- and 50-yard lines and a memorable 0-for-1 past the 50. And he's perfect in extra points this year. With his 17 points on Sunday, Tynes passed Brad Daluiso on the all-time franchise points list, moving into second place, with 535 points. Pete Gogolak stands in first, with 646 points. Tynes has 94 points on the season.

We know he can come through in the big moment, kicking two overtime NFC Championship Game field goals to send the Giants to the Super Bowl, but this year, Tynes has been a consistent field-goal-kicking machine, always there when the Giants need him. Which makes him the Unsung Hero of the Week.