The NFL has issued player of the week awards for both conferences, one of the weekly Wednesday rituals during the season. (It’s kind of hard to name players of the week during the offseason, since they’re not, you know, playing games.)
MDS has written up the NFC recipients. Now for the AFC.
Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall is the offensive player of the week. He gained 146 yards on 23 carries, and he scored one touchdown in a 17-13 win over the Jaguars. It was the highest rushing total for Week Six, and it’s Mendenhall’s second player of the week award in his career.
Two interceptions, one of which was returned 100 yards for a touchdown, gave Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis the defensive player of the week award. It’s the second such award for Revis, and the third time he picked off two passes in one game.
Another 100-plus-yard play delivered the special-teams player of the week award for Raiders receiver Jacoby Ford. It’s Ford’s third recognition in fewer than two NFL seasons.
The other finalists for the offensive award were Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton, Bills running back Fred Jackson, and Ravens running back Ray Rice. The defensive finalists were Steelers defensive end Brett Keisel, Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis, and Jets linebacker Calvin Pace. Ravens kicker Billy Cundiff and Raiders punter Shane Lechler were the finalists for the special-teams player of the week award.