FanPost

AFC & NFC Players of the Week

For this past week of the NFL season, here are the AFC Players of the Week, with the NFc's coming after the 'Jump' Interesting tidbit on Kurt Warner, who was named NFC Offensive POW has had a streak of four consecutive games with a passer rating of over 120.0, joining the Baltimore Colts great Johnny Unitas as the only QB in NFL history to accomplish this feat!

RAIDERS QB BRUCE GRADKOWSKI, JAGUARS LB JUSTIN DURANT

& DOLPHINS K DAN CARPENTER NAMED

AFC PLAYERS OF WEEK 13

Quarterback BRUCE GRADKOWSKI of the Oakland Raiders, linebacker JUSTIN DURANT of the Jacksonville Jaguars and kicker DAN CARPENTER of the Miami Dolphins are the AFC Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week for games played the 13th week of the 2009 season (December 3, 6-7), the NFL announced today.

OFFENSE: QB BRUCE GRADKOWSKI, OAKLAND RAIDERS

  • A Pittsburgh native, Gradkowski completed 20 of 33 passes (60.6 percent) for 308 yards and three fourth-quarter touchdowns, including the game-winner with nine seconds remaining in a 27-24 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field.
  • He became the first Raiders quarterback to record three touchdown passes in the fourth quarter since KEN STABLER (against New Orleans on 12/3/79).
  • He connected with CHAZ SCHILENS for his first touchdown of the game on a 17-yard scoring pass with 8:21 remaining in the fourth quarter to give Oakland its first lead at 13-10.
  • He threw a 75-yard touchdown pass to rookie WR LOUIS MURPHY to take a 20-17 lead with 5:28 to go in the fourth quarter.
  • With Oakland trailing 24-20, Gradkowski led the Raiders 88 yards in the last 1:48 of the contest, culminating in a game-winning 11-yard touchdown pass to Murphy.
  • In his fourth season from Toledo, this is Gradkowski’s first career Player of the Week award.
  • He is the first Raiders quarterback to win the award since DAUNTE CULPEPPER in 2007 (Week 4).

DEFENSE: LB JUSTIN DURANT, JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

  • Durant registered one interception, one sack and eight tackles in a 23-18 win over the Texans.
  • In the third quarter, Durant posted his first interception of the season when he picked off the Houston quarterback on the Jaguars’ 33-yard line to end a Texans drive.
  • He played a major role in limiting the Texans to 68 total rushing yards and helped Jacksonville register a season-high three interceptions.
  • He ranks second on the team with 99 tackles in 2009.
  • In his third year from Hampton, this is Durant’s first career Player of the Week award.
  • He is the first Jaguar to win AFC Defensive Player of the Week since defensive end PAUL SPICER in 2007 (Week 6). Durant is the first Jaguars linebacker to win the award since MIKE PETERSON in 2005 (Week 10).

SPECIAL TEAMS: K DAN CARPENTER, MIAMI DOLPHINS

  • In a key divisional matchup against New England, Carpenter made all three field goals, including a 41-yard game-winner in Miami’s 22-21 victory over the Patriots.
  • He registered his third career game-winning field on a 41-yard kick with 1:07 remaining in the fourth quarter.
  • He also connected on a 29-yard field goal in the second quarter and a 24-yarder in the third quarter.
  • Carpenter extended his streak to 22 consecutive field goals made from inside of 40 yards to begin his career.
  • In his second season from Montana, this is Carpenter’s second career Player of the Week award. He most recently won the award in 2008 (Week 14).

2009 AFC PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

Offense

Defense

Special Teams

Wk 1

QB Tom Brady, New England

LB David Harris, N.Y. Jets

K Jeff Reed, Pittsburgh

Wk 2

QB Matt Schaub, Houston

DE Antwan Odom, Cincinnati

K Rian Lindell, Buffalo

Wk 3

RB Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville

LB Brendon Ayanbadejo, Baltimore

LB Jason Trusnik, N.Y. Jets

Wk 4

RB Rashard Mendenhall, Pittsburgh

CB Champ Bailey, Denver

KR-WR Jacoby Jones, Houston

Wk 5

QB Kyle Orton, Denver

LB James Harrison, Pittsburgh

P Dave Zastudil, Cleveland

Wk 6

QB Tom Brady, New England

LB Brian Cushing, Houston

KR-PR-WR Eddie Royal, Denver

Wk 7

QB Carson Palmer, Cincinnati

S Brandon Meriweather, New England

P Brian Moorman, Buffalo

Wk 8

RB Chris Johnson, Tennessee

LB Brian Cushing, Houston

WR-KR Ted Ginn, Jr., Miami

Wk 9

TE Dallas Clark, Indianapolis

S Tyrone Carter, Pittsburgh

K Stephen Gostkowski, New England

Wk 10

QB Peyton Manning, Indianapolis

S Mike Brown, Kansas City

KR-RB Bernard Scott, Cincinnati

Wk 11

RB Ricky Williams, Miami

CB Leigh Bodden, New England

KR-RB Jamaal Charles, Kansas City

Wk 12

QB Vince Young, Tennessee

CB Darrelle Revis, N.Y. Jets

K Matt Prater, Denver

Wk 13

QB Bruce Gradkowski, Oakland

LB Justin Durant, Jacksonville

K Dan Carpenter, Miami

Other nominees for AFC Offensive Player of Week 13 were:

· Miami wide receiver DAVONE BESS, who had a career-high 10 receptions for 117 yards (11.7 average) with one touchdown.

· Denver running back CORRELL BUCKHALTER, who gained 113 rushing yards on 12 attempts (9.4 average) in a 44-13 win over the Chiefs.

· Miami quarterback CHAD HENNE, who completed 29 of 52 passes (55.8 percent) for a career-high 335 yards with two touchdowns versus one interception and an 80.2 passer rating.

· Tennessee running back CHRIS JOHNSON, who rushed for 113 yards on 27 attempts (4.2 average) in a 27-17 loss to the Colts. Johnson leads the NFL with 1,509 rushing yards and became only the fifth player in NFL history to rush for 1,500 yards in his team’s first 12 games. He joined Pro Football Hall of Famers JIM BROWN, WALTER PAYTON and O.J. SIMPSON and former Denver running back TERRELL DAVIS as the only players to accomplish the feat.

· San Diego quarterback PHILIP RIVERS, who completed 18 of 25 passes (72.0 percent) for 373 passing yards with two touchdowns versus zero interceptions and a 140.8 passer rating in a 30-23 win over the Cleveland Browns.

Other nominees for AFC Defensive Player of Week 13 were:

· New York Jets defensive end SHAUN ELLIS, who recorded four tackles and two sacks in a 19-13 win against the Bills in Toronto.

· Denver cornerback ANDRE’ GOODMAN, who had three tackles, one interception and a 30-yard fumble return-touchdown.

· Kansas City linebacker TAMBA HALI, who had a career-best three sacks and also tied a career-high with 10 tackles and two forced fumbles in a 44-13 loss to the Denver Broncos.

· New York Jets linebacker DAVID HARRIS, who registered 11 tackles, one sack and forced one fumble.

· New York Jets cornerback DARRELLE REVIS, who posted four tackles, one interception and five passes defensed.

· Pittsburgh linebacker LA MARR WOODLEY, who recorded eight tackles and two sacks in a 27-24 loss to the Oakland Raiders.

Other nominee for AFC Special Teams Player of Week 13 was:

· Denver fullback-linebacker SPENCER LARSEN, who recorded six tackles on special teams.

CARDINALS QB KURT WARNER, PACKERS LB CLAY MATTHEWS

& GIANTS PR DOMENIK HIXON NAMED

NFC PLAYERS OF WEEK 13

Quarterback KURT WARNER of the Arizona Cardinals, rookie linebacker CLAY MATTHEWS of the Green Bay Packers and punt returner DOMENIK HIXON of the New York Giants are the NFC Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week for games played the 13th week of the 2009 season (December 3, 6-7), the NFL announced today.

OFFENSE: QB KURT WARNER, ARIZONA CARDINALS

  • Warner completed 22 of 32 passes (68.8 percent) for 285 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions for a 127.7 passer rating in the Cardinals’ 30-17 win on Sunday night against the Minnesota Vikings.
  • He has now posted a passer rating of at least 120.0 in four consecutive games, joining Pro Football Hall of Famer JOHNNY UNITAS (1965) as the only players in NFL history to accomplish the feat.
  • Warner tossed touchdowns of two and 39 yards to ANQUAN BOLDIN (7 catches, 98 yards) and added a 34-yard touchdown pass to LARRY FITZGERALD (8 catches, 143 yards) as the Cardinals handed the Vikings just their second loss of the season.
  • The Cardinals are now 8-4, the team’s best record through 12 games since 1976. Arizona can clinch the NFC West this week with a win at San Francisco.
  • In his 12th season from Northern Iowa, this is Warner’s ninth career Player of the Week Award and fifth with the Cardinals, the most in team history.
  • Warner, who was also honored in Week 9, is the first Cardinals player to be named NFC Offensive Player of the Week twice in the same season since BOOMER ESIASON in 1996.

DEFENSE: LB CLAY MATTHEWS, GREEN BAY PACKERS

  • Matthews had six tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble in the Packers’ 27-14 win over Baltimore.
  • His six tackles were a career-high and his two sacks tied his career-best set in Week 6.
  • In the first quarter, after the Packers took a 3-0 lead, Matthews thwarted a Baltimore drive by forcing a fumble at the Green Bay 17-yard line, which was recovered by safety NICK COLLINS.
  • Matthews has seven sacks this season, tied with Washington’s BRIAN ORAKPO for the most by a rookie.
  • In his rookie season from USC, this is Matthews’ first career Player of the Week Award.
  • Matthew’s father, CLAY MATTHEWS, was named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week twice in his career with the Cleveland Browns (Week 12, 1984 and Week 9, 1991). They are the first father and son to win Player of the Week Awards.
  • This is the second consecutive week that a Packer has been honored on defense. Cornerback CHARLES WOODSON was the NFC Defensive Player of Week 12.

SPECIAL TEAMS: PR DOMENIK HIXON, NEW YORK GIANTS

  • Hixon had a 79-yard punt-return touchdown in the Giants’ 31-24 win over Dallas.
  • It marked the team’s first punt-return touchdown since September 11, 2005 (CHAD MORTON, 52 yards) and the longest by a Giant since October 18, 1999 (TIKI BARBER, 85 yards).
  • For the game, Hixon returned three punts for 95 yards, an average of 31.7 yards per return.
  • Hixon’s punt-return touchdown gave the Giants a 31-17 lead with 5:33 remaining in the game and proved to be the game-winning points.
  • The Giants had two touchdowns of at least 70 yards (Hixon’s 79-yard punt-return TD and BRANDON JACOBS’ 74-yard TD reception) against Dallas, the first time in 96 regular-season meetings between the two teams the Giants have accomplished the feat.
  • In his fourth season from Akron, this is Hixon’s first career Player of the Week Award. He is the first Giant return specialist to be honored since AMANI TOOMER in 1997 (Week 8).

2009 NFC PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

Offense

Defense

Special Teams

Wk 1

QB Drew Brees, New Orleans

DE Justin Tuck, New York Giants

PR-WR DeSean Jackson, Philadelphia

Wk 2

RB Frank Gore, San Francisco

LB Chad Greenway, Minnesota

DE Calais Campbell, Arizona

Wk 3

QB Kevin Kolb, Philadelphia

LB Lance Briggs, Chicago

KR-WR Percy Harvin, Minnesota

Wk 4

QB Brett Favre, Minnesota

S Darren Sharper, New Orleans

KR-WR Johnny Knox, Chicago

Wk 5

WR Miles Austin, Dallas

CB D. Rodgers-Cromartie, Arizona

P Jason Baker, Carolina

Wk 6

QB Drew Brees, New Orleans

S Thomas DeCoud, Atlanta

KR-WR Sammie Stroughter, Tampa Bay

Wk 7

WR DeSean Jackson, Philadelphia

S Adrian Wilson, Arizona

PR-WR Patrick Crayton, Dallas

Wk 8

QB Brett Favre, Minnesota

DE Julius Peppers, Carolina

K Josh Brown, St. Louis

Wk 9

QB Kurt Warner, Arizona

DT Anthony Hargrove, New Orleans

KR-PR Clifton Smith, Tampa Bay

Wk 10

WR Sidney Rice, Minnesota

CB Charles Woodson, Green Bay

P Hunter Smith, Washington

Wk 11

QB Matthew Stafford, Detroit

LB Michael Boley, New York Giants

P Thomas Morstead, New Orleans

Wk 12

QB Drew Brees, New Orleans

CB Charles Woodson, Green Bay

KR LaRod Stephens-Howling, Arizona

Wk 13

QB Kurt Warner, Arizona

LB Clay Matthews, Green Bay

PR Domenik Hixon, New York Giants

Other nominees for NFC Offensive Player of Week 13:

  • New Orleans quarterback DREW BREES, who completed 35 of 49 passes (71.4 percent) for 419 yards with two touchdowns and one interception for a 102.3 passer rating in the Saints’ 33-30 overtime win at Washington.
  • Green Bay tight end JERMICHAEL FINLEY, who had seven catches for 79 yards and a career-high two touchdowns.
  • Seattle quarterback MATT HASSELBECK, who completed 25 of 34 passes (73.5 percent) for 198 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions for a 107.2 passer rating in the Seahawks’ 20-17 win over San Francisco.
  • New York Giants running back BRANDON JACOBS, who had a 74-yard receiving touchdown and a one-yard rushing touchdown.
  • New Orleans wide receiver ROBERT MEACHEM, who had eight catches for 142 yards and a touchdown and also forced a fumble and scored on the fumble recovery.
  • Dallas quarterback TONY ROMO, who completed 41 of 55 passes (74.5 percent) for 392 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions for a 112.1 passer rating in the Cowboys’ 31-24 loss to the New York Giants.
  • San Francisco quarterback ALEX SMITH, who completed 27 of 45 passes (60.0 percent) for 310 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions for a 95.6 passer rating in the 49ers’ 20-17 loss at Seattle.
  • Dallas tight end JASON WITTEN, who had 14 catches for a career-high 156 yards.

Other nominees for NFC Defensive Player of Week 13:

  • Carolina linebacker JON BEASON, who had 11 tackles and two interceptions in the Panthers’ 16-6 win against Tampa Bay.
  • Philadelphia cornerback SHELDON BROWN, who had an 83-yard interception-return touchdown and five tackles in the Eagles’ 34-7 win at Atlanta.
  • New York Giants safety AARON ROUSE, who had a team-high 12 tackles and a sack.
  • Chicago linebacker JAMAR WILLIAMS, who had 18 tackles and two passes defensed in the Bears’ 17-9 win over St. Louis.

Other nominees for NFC Special Teams Player of Week 13:

  • Carolina punter JASON BAKER, who punted five times and averaged 48.8 yards per punt with a net average of 45.6. He placed two punts inside the 20-yard line.
  • New Orleans kicker GARRETT HARTLEY, who converted four of five field-goal attempts, including the game-winning 18-yarder in overtime.
  • St. Louis punter DONNIE JONES, who punted seven times for 317 yards (45.3 average) and placed a career-high six punts inside the 20-yard line in the Rams’ 17-9 loss at Chicago.
  • Arizona kicker NEIL RACKERS, who converted all three field-goal attempts and scored 11 points. He added one touchback on a kickoff and a special teams tackle.
  • Seattle punter JON RYAN, who had a career-high six punts downed inside the 20-yard line and limited the 49ers to five returns for minus-three yards.

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