Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald, Saints safety Roman Harper and Bears return man Devin Hester have been named the NFC’s players of the week.
Fitzgerald got the first offensive player of the week award of his career after a sensational seven-catch, 146-yard, two-touchdown game in the Cardinals’ upset of the Eagles on Sunday. The only Arizona touchdown that wasn’t scored by Fitzgerald was set up by Fitzgerald’s outstanding 37-yard over-the-shoulder catch late in the fourth quarter.
Harper earned his second defensive player of the week award this season for a big game in the Saints’ 26-23 overtime win over the Falcons. The Saints’ web site reports that after reviewing film from the game, the New Orleans coaching staff credited Harper with 16 tackles, two altered passes, one sack, one pass defensed and two tackles for losses. Harper has 6.5 sacks this season, leading all NFL defensive backs.
Hester won the special teams player of the week award for the 12th time in his career after scoring a touchdown on an 82-yard punt return and totaling 40 yards on his other two punt returns in the Bears’ win over the Lions. Hester now has 18 return touchdowns in his career, with 12 on punts, five on kickoffs and one on a missed field goal.