The NFL has named its Players of the Week for the first week of the 2009 regular season.
And here they are.
In the AFC, Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is the offensive player of the week for the 13th time in his career. He last won the award for the last full regular-season game he played, in Week Seventeen of the 2007 season.
Jets linebacker David Harris is the AFC defensive player of the week. He made 12 tackles and produced a sack in New York’s 24-7 win at Houston. He’s the first Jet to win the award since 2004.
Steelers kicker Jeff Reed won the AFC special teams player of the week award for the fourth time in his career. Reed’s field goal in overtime delivered a Week One win for the Steelers.
In the NFC, Saints quarterback Drew Brees edged out Vikings running back Adrian Peterson and others for the offensive player of the week honors. Brees won the award three times in 2008, and he has now been named offensive player of the week in either conference ten times in his career.
Giants defensive end Justin Tuck is the NFC defensive player of the week. He had five tackles and 1.5 sacks in a 23-17 win over the Redskins.
Eagles receiver/return specialist DeSean Jackson is the NFC special teams player of the week, thanks to an 85-yard punt return for a touchdown in the team’s 38-10 win over the Panthers.