Rey Maualuga has said that Vontaze Burfict deserved to be named the Cincinnati Bengals' 2013 MVP.

The linebacker was awarded the title by the Cincinnati Chapter of the Pro Football Writers of America, having made 171 tackles, three sacks, a forced fumble and an interception during the regular season.

His teammate told reporters: "Yeah, I concur. It's rare that you find guys like him with his talent, his leadership and everything he does. With his play this year, he was hands down one of the best linebackers in the league.

"You can look around the locker room, many guys did good things, what separates him from the other guys like Marvin [Jones], Andy [Dalton], AJ [Green], who knows? That's on everyone else to decide who they want to be MVP, and he got MVP and I stand behind that decision."

The Bengals won the NFC North for the first time since 2009 this season.