The NFL announced today that quarterback AARON RODGERSof the Green Bay Packers and running back FRANK GOREof the San Francisco 49ers are the Air & Ground NFL Players of the Week for games played on October 16-17. 

Aaron Rodgers threw for 310 yards, three touchdowns and an interception in the Packers' 24-3 win over the St. Louis Rams. His 119.6 passer rating was the highest of any quarterback on the weekend. This is his third consecutive win in the Air category.

Frank Gore ran for 141 yards and a score on 15 carries in the 49ers' 25-19 win over the Detroit Lions. His 9.4 yards per carry average was the highest of any back with more than 10 carries on the weekend.

Rodgers and Gore were selected from among six finalists in Air and Ground categories. The other Air & Ground NFL Players of the Week finalists were quarterbacks JAY CUTLER of the Chicago Bears and JOSH FREEMAN of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and running backs MENDENHALLof the Pittsburgh Steelers and MICHAEL TURNER of the Atlanta Falcons.

Fans voted for more than their favorite players. The weekly Air & Ground NFL Players of the Week Awards are also a win for local communities. Along with the player awards, there is a $2,000 donation in each of the winning players' names to the local Junior Achievement area offices in Wisconsin and Northern California. The funding is used to help U.S. small business development, by educating the next generation of entrepreneurs on how to start and grow their own businesses.

2011 AIR NFL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK