Quarterback DREW BREES of the New Orleans Saints, cornerback CHARLES WOODSON of the Green Bay Packers and rookie kick returner LA ROD STEPHENS-HOWLING of the Arizona Cardinals are the NFC Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week for games played the 12th week of the 2009 season (November 26, 29-30), the NFL announced today.
OFFENSE: QB DREW BREES, NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
• Brees completed 18 of 23 passes (78.3 percent) for 371 yards with five touchdowns and no interceptions for a 158.3 passer rating, the highest possible mark, in the Saints' 38-17 win over New England on Monday night. The win moved the Saints to 11-0 for the first time in franchise history.
• He became just the second player in NFL history to pass for at least 350 yards, complete at least 75 percent of his passes, throw for five touchdowns and not toss an interception in a game (TOM BRADY).
• Brees threw touchdown passes to five different receivers and averaged 16.1 yards per attempt. The Saints amassed 480 total net yards on 50 offensive plays for an average of 9.6 yards per play, the third-highest mark since 1970 (minimum 50 plays).
• New Orleans has scored 407 points this season, the fourth-most through the first 11 games in NFL history.
• In his ninth season from Purdue, this is Brees' 12th career Player of the Week Award and third this season (Weeks 1 and 6). He won three times in 2008 (Weeks 6, 8 and 12).
• Since joining the Saints in 2006, Brees has won 10 Player of the Week Awards, the most in franchise history. He is the only player in NFL history to win multiple Player of the Week Awards in four consecutive seasons. Brees is the first player in league annals to be named Offensive Player of the Week three times in back-to-back years.
DEFENSE: CB CHARLES WOODSON, GREEN BAY PACKERS
• Woodson became the first player in NFL history with two interceptions, an interception-return touchdown, one sack, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery in a game as the Packers defeated Detroit 34-12 on Thanksgiving.
• He totaled seven tackles and four passes defensed and helped limit Lions wide receiver CALVIN JOHNSON to two receptions for 10 yards, despite being targeted on 12 throws.
• Woodson recorded his eighth career interception-return touchdown, tied for the sixth-most in NFL history.
• He was involved in three turnovers by an opponent for the second time in the past three weeks.
• Prior to the Thanksgiving Day game, it also was announced that he had donated $2 million to the new C.S. Mott Children's Hospital and Women's Hospital at the University of Michigan, his alma mater.
• In his 12th season from Michigan, this is Woodson's third career Player of the Week Award and second this season (Week 10).
• Woodson joins Pro Football Hall of Famer REGGIE WHITE as the only Packers to be named NFC Defensive Player of the Week three times.
SPECIAL TEAMS: KR LA ROD STEPHENS-HOWLING, ARIZONA CARDINALS
• Stephens-Howling had a 99-yard kick-return touchdown and downed punts at the five-, two- and one-yard line in the Cardinals' 20-17 loss at Tennessee.
• The seventh-round draft pick out of Pittsburgh (No. 240 overall) had four kick returns for 167 yards (41.8 average) and he became the first Cardinals rookie to return a kickoff for a touchdown since ROY GREEN in 1979.
• He also played a key role on special teams coverage, downing three BEN GRAHAM punts at the five-yard line and in, including one at the two and another at the one.
• In his rookie season from Pittsburgh, this is Stephens-Howling's first career Player of the Week Award.
• He is the first Cardinals rookie to be honored since STEVE BREASTON in 2007 (Week 4, Special Teams).
2009 NFC DEFENSIVE PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Week 1: DE Justin Tuck, New York Giants
Week 2: LB Chad Greenway, Minnesota
Week 3: LB Lance Briggs, Chicago
Week 4: S Darren Sharper, New Orleans
Week 5: CB D. Rodgers-Cromartie, Arizona
Week 6: S Thomas DeCoud, Atlanta
Week 7: S Adrian Wilson, Arizona
Week 8: DE Julius Peppers, Carolina
Week 9: DT Anthony Hargrove, New Orleans
Week 10: CB Charles Woodson, Green Bay
Week 11: LB Michael Boley, New York Giants
Week 12: CB Charles Woodson, Green Bay
Other nominees for NFC Offensive Player of Week 12:
• Dallas wide receiver MILES AUSTIN, who had seven receptions for 145 yards and one touchdown in the Cowboys' 24-7 win over Oakland.
• Green Bay wide receiver DONALD DRIVER, who had seven receptions for 142 yards (20.3 average) and one touchdown.
• Minnesota quarterback BRETT FAVRE, who completed 32 of 48 passes (66.7 percent) for 392 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions for a 112.5 passer rating in the Vikings' 36-10 win over Chicago.
• Seattle running back JUSTIN FORSETT, who rushed for a career-high 130 yards and two touchdowns in the Seahawks' 27-17 win over St. Louis.
• Minnesota rookie wide receiver PERCY HARVIN, who had six receptions for a career-high 101 yards and one touchdown. He also added two carries for 45 yards.
• Philadelphia quarterback DONOVAN MC NABB, who completed 21 of 35 passes (60.0 percent) for 260 yards with one touchdown in the Eagles' 27-24 win over Washington.
• Atlanta quarterback CHRIS REDMAN, who replaced an injured MATT RYAN and threw for 243 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winner on fourth down with 23 seconds remaining, in the Falcons' 20-17 win over Tampa Bay.
• Green Bay quarterback AARON RODGERS, who completed 28 of 39 passes (71.8 percent) for 348 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions for a 124.7 passer rating.
Other nominees for NFC Defensive Player of Week 12:
• Minnesota defensive end JARED ALLEN, who had two sacks and an interception.
• Philadelphia cornerback ASANTE SAMUEL, who had two interceptions, the sixth multiple interception game of his career.
• San Francisco defensive tackle JUSTIN SMITH, who had nine tackles, 1.5 sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery in the 49ers' 20-3 win over Jacksonville.
• Dallas linebacker ANTHONY SPENCER, who had 10 tackles and a career-high two sacks.
• Tampa Bay defensive end STYLEZ G. WHITE, who had seven tackles and 2.5 sacks in the Buccaneers' 20-17 loss at Atlanta.
Other nominees for NFC Special Teams Player of Week 12:
• Philadelphia kicker DAVID AKERS, who converted all four field-goal attempts, including the game-winner from 32 yards out with 1:48 remaining in the fourth quarter.
• Minnesota kicker RYAN LONGWELL, who converted all three field-goal attempts, including a 52-yarder. He added three PATs and finished with 12 points.
