During our most recent Sunday Night Football Extra live chat, a debate unfolded regarding whether Saints quarterback Drew Brees is “better than” Colts quarterback Peyton Manning.
(“You think you’re better than me?”)
But since Peyton Manning was on the shelf in Week Six due to a bye, Brees’ only competition was Patriots quarterback Tom Brady.
Both won offensive player of the week honors for their respective conferences based on huge performances in big wins. Brady threw six touchdown passes and generated a passer rating of 152.8 in a 59-0 trouncing of the Titans. Brees threw four touchdown passes and racked up a 156.8 rating in a 48-27 win over the Giants.
For the defense, Texans rookie linebacker Brian Cushing won the AFC prize for his role in a 28-17 win over the Bengals. Cushing had nine tackles, two forced fumbles, and an interception.
In the NFC, Falcons safety Thomas DeCoud received the honor for picking off two Jay Cutler passes in Atlanta’s 21-14 win over the Bears.
Broncos return ace Eddie Royal is the AFC special-teams player of the week after retuning a punt and a kickoff for a touchdown against the Chargers. Bucs rookie Sammie Stroughter accounted for more than 240 return yards, including a 97-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, in a 28-21 loss to the Panthers.