AFC & NFC Players of the Week

Here are the AFC & NFC Players of the Week, including the Baltimore Ravens' Domonique Foxworth, who garnered the AFC Defensvie Palyer ofthe Week based onhistwo interception game vs. the Chicago Bears. The AFC is up first, with the NFC following after the 'Jump.'

STEELERS QB BEN ROETHLISBERGER, RAVENS CB DOMONIQUE FOXWORTH & BROWNS KR-WR JOSHUA CRIBBS NAMED AFC PLAYERS OF WEEK 15
 
Quarterback BEN ROETHLISBERGER of the Pittsburgh Steelers, cornerback DOMONIQUE FOXWORTH of the Baltimore Ravens and kick returner-wide receiver JOSHUA CRIBBS of the Cleveland Browns are the AFC Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week for games played the 15th week of the 2009 season (December 17, 19-21), the NFL announced today.
 
OFFENSE: QB BEN ROETHLISBERGER, PITTSBURGH STEELERS
Roethlisberger completed 29 of 46 passes (63.0 percent) for a franchise-record 503 passing yards with three touchdowns versus zero interceptions and a 121.9 passer rating while leading Pittsburgh to a last second 37-36 win over the Green Bay Packers at Heinz Field.
He joined Pro Football Hall of Famers Y.A. TITTLE (1962) and WARREN MOON (1990) as the only quarterbacks in NFL history to throw for at least 500 yards and three touchdowns without an interception in a game.
He is just the 10th player in NFL history to throw for at least 500 yards in a game and the ninth to do it in a non-overtime game. 
With Pittsburgh trailing 36-30 in the fourth quarter, Roethlisberger led the Steelers 86 yards in the last 2:06 of the contest, culminating in a game-winning 19-yard touchdown pass to rookie wide receiver MIKE WALLACE.
In his sixth season from Miami (Ohio), this is Roethlisberger’s fifth career Player of the Week award.  He most recently won the award in 2008 (Week 5). 
He joins running back RASHARD MENDENHALL (Week 4) as the second Steeler to win AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors this season. 
 
DEFENSE: CB DOMONIQUE FOXWORTH, BALTIMORE RAVENS
Foxworth posted a career-high two interceptions and three tackles in a 31-7 win over the Chicago Bears.
He helped the Ravens defense tie a franchise record with six turnovers (four interceptions, two fumble recoveries).
He played a pivotal role in limiting the Bears to 220 total yards and help hold Chicago quarterbacks to a 7.0 passer rating.
He ranks second on the team with three interceptions in 2009.
In his fifth year from Maryland, this is Foxworth’s first career Defensive Player of the Week award.  
He joins linebacker BRENDON AYANBADEJO as the second Raven to win Player of the Week this season.
 
SPECIAL TEAMS: KR-WR JOSHUA CRIBBS, CLEVELAND BROWNS
Cribbs had two kickoff-return touchdowns (100 and 103 yards) in the Browns’ 41-34 win at Kansas City. 
He recorded his seventh and eighth career kick-return touchdowns, the most in NFL history.  Cribbs entered the game tied with five other players – Pro Football Hall of Famers OLLIE MATSON and GALE SAYERS, TRAVIS WILLIAMS, MEL GRAY and DANTE HALL – for the most kick-return touchdowns in league annals with six.
He joined Miami’s TED GINN, JR., as the only players in NFL history with two touchdowns of at least 100 yards in the same game.
He is the ninth player in NFL history with two kick-return touchdowns in a game. 
Cribbs leads the NFL with four return touchdowns (three kick return; one punt return) in 2009.
In his fifth season from Kent State, this is Cribbs’ third career Player of the Week award.  He is the first player in  the NFL to win back-to-back Player of the Week honors in 2009.  Cribbs is the first Browns player to earn Player of the Week honors two weeks in a row since the award originated in 1984. 
 
2009 AFC PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
 
 OffenseDefenseSpecial Teams
Wk 1QB Tom Brady, New EnglandLB David Harris, N.Y. Jets K Jeff Reed, Pittsburgh
Wk 2QB Matt Schaub, HoustonDE Antwan Odom, CincinnatiK Rian Lindell, Buffalo
Wk 3RB Maurice Jones-Drew, JacksonvilleLB Brendon Ayanbadejo, BaltimoreLB Jason Trusnik, N.Y. Jets
Wk 4RB Rashard Mendenhall, PittsburghCB Champ Bailey, DenverKR-WR Jacoby Jones, Houston
Wk 5QB Kyle Orton, DenverLB James Harrison, PittsburghP Dave Zastudil, Cleveland
Wk 6QB Tom Brady, New EnglandLB Brian Cushing, HoustonKR-PR-WR Eddie Royal, Denver
Wk 7QB Carson Palmer, CincinnatiS Brandon Meriweather, New EnglandP Brian Moorman, Buffalo
Wk 8RB Chris Johnson, TennesseeLB Brian Cushing, HoustonWR-KR Ted Ginn, Jr., Miami
Wk 9TE Dallas Clark, IndianapolisS Tyrone Carter, PittsburghK Stephen Gostkowski, New England
Wk 10QB Peyton Manning, IndianapolisS Mike Brown, Kansas CityKR-RB Bernard Scott, Cincinnati
Wk 11RB Ricky Williams, MiamiCB Leigh Bodden, New EnglandKR-RB Jamaal Charles, Kansas City
Wk 12QB Vince Young, TennesseeCB Darrelle Revis, N.Y. JetsK Matt Prater, Denver
Wk 13QB Bruce Gradkowski, OaklandLB Justin Durant, JacksonvilleK Dan Carpenter, Miami
Wk 14WR Brandon Marshall, DenverLB Keith Bulluck, TennesseeKR-WR Joshua Cribbs, Cleveland
Wk 15QB Ben Roethlisberger, PittsburghCB Domonique Foxworth, BaltimoreKR-WR Joshua Cribbs, Cleveland

 
Other nominees for AFC Offensive Player of Week 15:
·         Oakland running back MICHAEL BUSH, who rushed for 133 yards (7.4 average) on 18 attempts with one touchdown in a 20-19 win over the Denver Broncos.
·         Baltimore quarterback JOE FLACCO, who completed 21 of 29 passes (72.4 percent) for 234 yards with a career-high four touchdowns and a 135.6 passer rating.
·         Cleveland running back JEROME HARRISON, who rushed for 286 yards and three rushing touchdowns.  Harrison surpassed Pro Football Hall of Famer JIM BROWN (237 in 1957 and 1961) for the most rushing yards in a single-game in franchise history.  Harrison’s 286 rushing yards are the third-most in a game in NFL history, trailing only ADRIAN PETERSON (296 in 2007) and JAMAL LEWIS (295 in 2003).  ·         Houston wide receiver ANDRE JOHNSON, who had nine receptions for 196 receiving yards (21.8 average) in a 16-13 win over the Rams.
·         Indianapolis quarterback PEYTON MANNING, who completed 23 of 30 passes (76.7 percent) for 308 yards with four touchdowns versus one interception and a 134.4 passer rating in a 35-31 win over the Jaguars.
·         San Diego quarterback PHIILIP RIVERS, who completed 24 of 38 passes (63.2 percent) for 308 yards with three touchdowns versus two interceptions and a 92.9 passer rating in a 31-7 win over Cincinnati.
 
Other nominees for AFC Defensive Player of Week 15:
·         New England linebacker TULLY BANTA-CAIN, who had a career-high three sacks in a 17-10 win over the Buffalo Bills.
·         Miami rookie cornerback VONTAE DAVIS, who recorded one interception and three tackles in a 27-24 overtime loss to Tennessee.
·         Indianapolis defensive tackle ERIC FOSTER, who had three tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble.
 
Other nominees for AFC Special Teams Player of Week 15:
·         Baltimore running back JALEN PARMELE, who had a team-high three tackles on special teams.
·         Indianapolis kick returner-running back CHAD SIMPSON, who registered a 93-yard kick return-touchdown.
 

PANTHERS RB JONATHAN STEWART, COWBOYS LB DE MARCUS WARE &
CARDINALS P BEN GRAHAM NAMED NFC PLAYERS OF WEEK 15
 
Running back JONATHAN STEWART of the Carolina Panthers, linebacker DE MARCUS WARE of the Dallas Cowboys and punter BEN GRAHAM of the Arizona Cardinals are the NFC Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week for games played the 15th week of the 2009 season (December 17, 19-21), the NFL announced today.
 
OFFENSE: RB JONATHAN STEWART, CAROLINA PANTHERS
Stewart rushed for 109 yards and scored two touchdowns in the Panthers’ 26-7 win over Minnesota. 
He became the first player to rush for at least 100 yards against the Vikings in more than two years (November 11, 2007, Green Bay’s RYAN GRANT). 
With the Panthers ahead by five, Stewart had a three-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter to extend Carolina’s lead to 19-7. 
He later sealed the game with a two-yard touchdown reception from quarterback MATT MOORE to put the Panthers ahead 26-7.  It was the first touchdown reception of his career. 
This season, Stewart ranks second on the Panthers with 802 rushing yards and leads the club with eight rushing touchdowns. 
In his second season from Oregon, this is Stewart’s first career Player of the Week Award.
Stewart is the sixth Panthers running back to be named NFC Offensive Player of the Week and first since
DE ANGELO WILLIAMS (Week 4, 2008). 
 
DEFENSE: LB DE MARCUS WARE, DALLAS COWBOYS
Ware had two tackles, two sacks and two forced fumbles in the Cowboys’ 24-17 win over New Orleans, handing the Saints their first loss of the season. 
He was a disruptive force against the high-powered New Orleans offense as the Cowboys held the Saints to their lowest point total of the year. 
Ware’s first forced fumble led to a Dallas field goal and his second forced fumble sealed the game in the final seconds of the fourth quarter. 
He now has 11 sacks this year and he is just the third Cowboy to record 10+ sacks in four consecutive seasons. 
Ware is the only player in the NFL with at least 10 sacks in each of the past four seasons.  His 56.5 sacks over that period are the most in the league. 
In his fifth season from Troy, this is Ware’s third career Player of the Week Award.  He previously won in Week 16, 2005 and Week 15, 2008. 
He is the first Cowboys linebacker to be honored three times. 
 
SPECIAL TEAMS: P BEN GRAHAM, ARIZONA CARDINALS
Graham averaged 50.3 yards per punt, had a 45.4-yard net average and placed three punts inside the 20-yard line in the Cardinals’ 31-24 win at Detroit. 
Four of his seven punts traveled at least 50 yards, including a long of 64. 
In the first quarter, Graham dropped a punt inside the Detroit 15-yard line, which was muffed by the returner.  Arizona’s LA ROD STEPHENS-HOWLING recovered and the Cardinals scored three plays later to go up 7-0.
On the season, Graham leads the NFL with 37 punts inside the 20 and is closing in on the NFL single-season record of 42.  He ranks third in the NFL with a 47.5-yard average and 41.4-yard net average.
He currently has a streak of 62 consecutive punts without a touchback and has placed 32 punts inside the 20 during that span. 
In his fifth season from Deakin (Australia), this is Graham’s first career Player of the Week Award. 
He joins JEFF FEAGLES (Week 13, 1995) as the only punters in franchise history to be honored. 
 
2009 NFC PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
 
 OffenseDefenseSpecial Teams
Wk 1QB Drew Brees, New OrleansDE Justin Tuck, New York GiantsPR-WR DeSean Jackson, Philadelphia
Wk 2RB Frank Gore, San FranciscoLB Chad Greenway, MinnesotaDE Calais Campbell, Arizona
Wk 3QB Kevin Kolb, PhiladelphiaLB Lance Briggs, ChicagoKR-WR Percy Harvin, Minnesota
Wk 4QB Brett Favre, MinnesotaS Darren Sharper, New OrleansKR-WR Johnny Knox, Chicago
Wk 5WR Miles Austin, DallasCB D. Rodgers-Cromartie, ArizonaP Jason Baker, Carolina
Wk 6QB Drew Brees, New OrleansS Thomas DeCoud, AtlantaKR-WR Sammie Stroughter, Tampa Bay
Wk 7WR DeSean Jackson, PhiladelphiaS Adrian Wilson, ArizonaPR-WR Patrick Crayton, Dallas
Wk 8QB Brett Favre, MinnesotaDE Julius Peppers, CarolinaK Josh Brown, St. Louis
Wk 9QB Kurt Warner, ArizonaDT Anthony Hargrove, New OrleansKR-PR Clifton Smith, Tampa Bay
Wk 10WR Sidney Rice, MinnesotaCB Charles Woodson, Green BayP Hunter Smith, Washington
Wk 11QB Matthew Stafford, DetroitLB Michael Boley, New York GiantsP Thomas Morstead, New Orleans
Wk 12QB Drew Brees, New OrleansCB Charles Woodson, Green BayKR LaRod Stephens-Howling, Arizona
Wk 13QB Kurt Warner, ArizonaLB Clay Matthews, Green BayPR Domenik Hixon, New York Giants
Wk 14RB Frank Gore, San FranciscoLB Brian Orakpo, WashingtonPR-WR DeSean Jackson, Philadelphia
Wk 15RB Jonathan Stewart, CarolinaLB DeMarcus Ware, DallasP Ben Graham, Arizona

 
 
Other nominees for NFC Offensive Player of Week 15:
Philadelphia wide receiver DE SEAN JACKSON, who had six catches for 140 yards and a touchdown in the Eagles’ 27-13 win over San Francisco. 
New York Giants quarterback ELI MANNING, who completed 19 of 26 passes (73.1 percent) for 268 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions for a 144.4 rating in the Giants’ 45-12 win at Washington. 
Detroit running back MAURICE MORRIS, who rushed for 126 yards and scored on a 64-yard touchdown in the Lions’ 31-24 loss to Arizona. 
Green Bay quarterback AARON RODGERS, who passed for 383 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions for a 101.3 passer rating in the Packers’ 37-36 loss at Pittsburgh.   Dallas quarterback TONY ROMO, who completed 22 of 34 passes (64.7 percent) for 312 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions for a 104.0 passer rating. 
Carolina wide receiver STEVE SMITH, who had nine catches for 157 yards and a 42-yard touchdown. 
Arizona rookie running back BEANIE WELLS, who rushed for a career-high 110 yards and a touchdown. 
 
 
Other nominees for NFC Defensive Player of Week 15:
Detroit rookie safety LOUIS DELMAS, who had eight tackles and a 100-yard interception-return touchdown, the longest by a rookie since 1962. 
Atlanta cornerback BRENT GRIMES, who had five tackles and two interceptions in the Falcons’ 10-7 win over the New York Jets. 
Tampa Bay linebacker GENO HAYES, who had six tackles, one sack, an interception and a fumble recovery in the Buccaneers’ 24-7 win at Seattle. 
Carolina defensive end JULIUS PEPPERS, who had a sack and a pass defensed. 
Atlanta linebacker MIKE PETERSON, who had a season-high 15 tackles and a pass defensed. 
Arizona cornerback DOMINIQUE RODGERS-CROMARTIE, who had four passes defensed, three tackles and two interceptions.
Philadelphia cornerback ASANTE SAMUEL, who had four tackles, an interception and a fumble recovery. 
 
 
Other nominees for NFC Special Teams Player of Week 15:
St. Louis kick returner-punt returner DANNY AMENDOLA, who had 171 total return yards (159 KR, 12 PR) in the Rams’ 16-13 loss to Houston. 
Chicago punt returner EARL BENNETT, who had a 49-yard punt-return touchdown in the Bears’ 31-7 loss at Baltimore.