CINCINNATI -- Marvin Lewis had a football in his hands one day this week when he assembled his players for a team meeting.

On the heels of a Cincinnati Bengals win in which the offense pushed back New Orleans Saints defenders to gain 186 yards on the ground, the head coach called attention to the ball and one specific undrafted rookie.

Ryan Hewitt, a Stanford product who plays fullback, tight end and H-back in the Bengals' diverse offensive scheme, was being rewarded for his blocking efforts last Sunday. Much of the success the Bengals had in the 27-10 win in New Orleans was a credit to his work, and Lewis believed it was time to let him know he was appreciated.

"You don't expect something like that playing the position I play," said Hewitt, who earned his first NFL game ball. "It's very gratifying. I guess it's just re-affirmation that I'm doing something right so far."

According to coaches, he's been doing the right things for as long as they can remember. His physical style of play hasn't just been a recent phenomenon. It goes back to before he even knew he would have a spot on the 53-man roster.

"I've seen it way back in training camp," offensive coordinator Hue Jackson said. "When I made a decision, I went to Coach Lewis and said, 'Hey, this guy should be our fullback,' and I never looked back. I never even questioned it."

Hewitt has played in every game this season, averaging 24.1 snaps per game. Excluding the 15 snaps he received two weeks ago against the Browns, he had been witnessing a steady rise in playing time beginning in Week 8. Per ESPN Stats & Information, he played 32 snaps against Baltimore that week, had 36 the next week against the Jaguars, and -- after the Browns game -- had 38 in the win against the Saints last week.

Again, excluding the Browns game (one in which the Bengals rushed for 86 yards), the Bengals have rushed for more than 100 yards in each of those other games. In fact, they have rushed for more than 100 yards in every game Hewitt has been on the field for more than 25 snaps.

Is he the ground game's difference-maker?

Consider this. Some of the Bengals' more memorable runs this season have come with Hewitt not only on the field, but providing key blocks. On Giovani Bernard's 89-yard touchdown run against the Panthers, Hewitt had a block that opened a seam as he nearly stumbled into Bernard before the back got into the last level of Carolina's defense. Jeremy Hill's 60-yard touchdown run against Jacksonville mimicked his 62-yard run last week that set up a key field goal right before halftime. On both plays, Hewitt crashed into linebackers as Hill cut into holes that led him into the secondary.

In addition, Hill and Bernard's best rushing numbers come when Hewitt is on the field. With Hewitt playing tight end, H-back or fullback, Bernard averages 4.9 yards per carry and Hill averages 5.2. Overall, Bernard averages 4.1 yards per carry and Hill averages 4.9 yards.

Of Bernard's carries, Hewitt has been on the field 50.5 percent of the time. Of Hill's, Hewitt has been out there 63.7 percent of the time.

The Bengals won't say he's the big reason for their recently improved rushing numbers. But they know he is having an impact.

"He's in the right spots where he needs to be in the offense," Lewis said. "More importantly, he's a young guy who we can count on with whatever is asked of him."