Here are the NFL Players of the Week for week #3.
NFL Players of the Week
AFC
Offense: RB Ronnie Brown, Miami Dolphins
Brown played a pivotal role in helping Miami capture a 38-13 road victory over AFC East rival New England Patriots. Brown gained 113 rushing yards (6.6 average) on 17 carries with five touchdowns (4 rushing, 1 passing) and his four rushing touchdowns set a Dolphins single-game record. In the third quarter, Brown registered his first career touchdown pass on a 19-yard toss to tight end ANTHONY FASANO and became the first Dolphins non-quarterback to throw a touchdown pass since running back TERRY KIRBY in 1995. He was part of an offensive unit that amassed 461 total yards (216 rushing, 245 passing) and an 8.1-yard average per offensive play as the Dolphins recorded their first divisional win since December 10, 2006 (at New England). In his fourth season from Auburn, this is Brown’s first career Player of the Week Award. He is the first Dolphins running back to win AFC Offensive Player of the Week since RICKY WILLIAMS in 2002.
Defense: CB Antonio Cromartie, San Diego Chargers
In a 49-28 win against the New York Jets on Monday Night Football, Cromartie posted a career-high nine tackles and two interceptions, including an interception-touchdown return. Cromartie registered two or more interceptions in a game for the fourth time in his career, and the Chargers’ are 4-0 when he accomplishes the feat. On the first play of the second quarter, Cromartie recorded his first interception when he reached in front of a BRETT FAVRE pass intended for LAVERANUES COLES and raced 52 yards for his second career interception-touchdown return. His second interception came late in the fourth quarter when he hauled in a KELLEN CLEMENS pass in the back of the end zone to end a Jets scoring drive. Cromartie leads the NFL with 12 interceptions since 2007. In his third year from Florida State, this is Cromartie’s third career Player of the Week Award. He previously won Defensive Player of the Week (Week 9) and Special Teams Player of the Week (Week 10) in 2007.
Special Teams: K Josh Scobee, Jacksonville Jaguars
Scobee secured the Jaguars’ first win of the season on a 51-yard field goal with four seconds remaining in regulation as Jacksonville defeated the Indianapolis Colts 23-21. The veteran kicker made all three field goal attempts (26, 21, 51) and two extra point attempts (11 points) in a key AFC South match-up. He has made all six attempts the past two games and has made seven of eight field goals this season. Scobee’s game-winning field goal was the second of his career at Indianapolis (53 yards on 10/24/04). In his fifth season from Louisiana Tech, this is Scobee’s fifth career Player of the Week Award. He previously won the award in 2007 (Week 12).
NFC
Offense: RB Michael Turner, Atlanta Falcons
Turner rushed for 104 yards and a career-high three touchdowns in the Falcons’ 38-14 win over Kansas City. The five-year veteran is the first player in NFL history to have a 200-yard rushing game and a three-rushingtouchdown game in his first three contests with a new team. In Week 1, Turner was named the NFC Offensive Player of the Week when he set a franchise record with 220 rushing yards and scored two touchdowns. Against the Chiefs, Turner scored on a four-yard run in the first quarter, added a one-yard TD in the second period and found the end zone for a third time in the third quarter on a two-yard rush. Turner is the fifth Falcons running back to register at least three touchdowns in a game. In his fifth season from Northern Illinois, this is Turner’s second career Player of the Week Award and second in the past three weeks (Week 1). He is the first Falcons running back to win the award two times in one season. In just his third game with the club, Turner joins GERALD RIGGS (four) and JAMAL ANDERSON (three) as the only running backs in franchise history to be named Offensive Player of the Week multiple times.
Defense: S Brian Dawkins, Philadelphia Eagles
The veteran safety had 10 tackles, a sack, a tackle for a loss, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery in the Eagles’ 15-6 win over Pittsburgh. Dawkins played in his 170th career game with Philadelphia, passing Pro Football Hall of Famer CHUCK BEDNARIK and moving into second place in franchise history. The game also marked the 100th Eagles victory Dawkins has played in (92 regular season, eight postseason). The 13-year veteran led a defense that held the Steelers to 180 total yards, including just 33 rushing yards. The Eagles recorded nine sacks, forced three turnovers and posted a safety. Philadelphia held Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger to 131 passing yards on 25 attempts, the lowest total of his career in games with at least 22 attempts, and held running back Willie Parker to 20 yards on 13 carries, his lowest total in games with at least 12 carries. In his 13th year from Clemson, this is Dawkins’ third career Player of the Week Award. He was also honored in Week 4 of 2002 and Week 15 of 2006. Dawkins is now tied for the most Defensive Player of the Week Awards in franchise history with SETH JOYNER, LITO SHEPPARD, CLYDE SIMMONS and Pro Football Hall of Famer REGGIE WHITE.
Special Teams: K John Carney, New York Giants
In a 26-23 overtime victory over Cincinnati, Carney converted both PATs and all four field-goal attempts, including the game-winning 22-yarder in the extra session. The overtime winner marked the 15th game-winning field goal of Carney’s career. For the game, Carney connected on field goals of 24, 46, 26 and 22 yards as he helped the Super Bowl XLII champions improve to 3-0 on the season. In his career, the 21-year veteran has 1,847 points, the fourth-most in NFL history. In his 21st season from Notre Dame, this is Carney’s 13th career Player of the Week Award. Carney is now tied for fourth all-time in total Player of the Week Awards with Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback JOE MONTANA and wide receiver JERRY RICE.