Cornerback CHARLES WOODSON of the Green Bay Packers, rookie running back ADRIAN PETERSON of the Minnesota Vikings, and wide receiver-punt returner-kick returner DEVIN HESTER of the Chicago Bears are the NFC Defensive, Offensive and Special Teams Players of the Week for games played the sixth week of the 2007 season (October 14-15), the NFL announced Wednesday.
DEFENSE: CB CHARLES WOODSON, GREEN BAY PACKERS
- In Green Bay's 17-14 win over Washington, Woodson had four tackles, an interception and two fumble recoveries, including a 57-yard touchdown return with 12:55 remaining in the fourth quarter for the game-winning points. In the second quarter, with Washington driving into Green Bay territory, Woodson thwarted a drive with an interception to preserve a 7-7 tie. With the Packers trailing 14-10 in the third quarter, Woodson recovered a fumble and returned it 57 yards to put Green Bay ahead for good at 17-14. He also added another fumble recovery in the fourth quarter.
In his 10th year from Michigan, this is Woodson's first career Defensive Player of the Week Award. Woodson is the first Packers cornerback to be honored since Week 5 of 2005 (AL HARRIS).
OFFENSE: RB ADRIAN PETERSON, MINNESOTA VIKINGS
- With a blend of power and speed, the rookie running back rushed for a franchise-record 224 yards (CHUCK FOREMAN, 200 yards, 10/24/76) on 20 carries (11.2 average) and scored three touchdowns in the Vikings' 34-31 win at Chicago. The first-round draft choice out of Oklahoma (No. 7) added 128 kickoff return yards and nine receiving yards to finish with a team-record 361 combined yards, the third-most in NFL history. Peterson had a 67-yard touchdown run in the second quarter, a 73-yard rush TD in the third and ran 35 yards in the final quarter for his third TD. After the Bears tied the score late in the game at 31, the rookie set up Minnesota's game-winning field goal by returning the ensuing kickoff 53 yards. Peterson's 224 rushing yards are the fifth-most all-time by a rookie and he leads the NFL in rushing with 607 yards.
In his rookie season from Oklahoma, this is Peterson's first career Offensive Player of the Week Award. Peterson was also named the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Month in September.
SPECIAL TEAMS: WR-PR-KR DEVIN HESTER, CHICAGO BEARS
- The dynamic Hester had 108 punt-return yards, 86 kick-return yards, 81 receiving yards and two touchdowns - 89-yard punt return and 81-yard reception - in the Bears' 34-31 loss to Minnesota. Hester became only the third player in NFL history to have an 80 yard punt-return touchdown and an 80 yard TD reception in the same game - joining Pro Football Hall of Famer GALE SAYERS (12/12/65) and AZ-ZAHIR HAKIM (9/4/00). Hester opened the scoring with a spectacular 89-yard punt-return touchdown in the first quarter, the ninth return touchdown of his career and the most in franchise history. In the fourth quarter, with the Bears trailing 31-24, Hester recorded the first touchdown reception of his career, hauling in an 81-yard pass from quarterback BRIAN GRIESE to tie the game. Hester has 10 touchdowns in his career and averages 85.0 yards per score.
In his second season from Miami, this is Hester's fifth career Player of the Week Award. This year, Hester was honored in Week 2 and was named the NFC Special Teams Player of the Month for September.
2007 NFC PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Wk 1
QB Tony Romo, Dallas
DE Dewayne White, Detroit
K Mason Crosby, Green Bay
Wk 2
QB Brett Favre, Green Bay
LB Barrett Ruud, Tampa Bay
PR-KR Devin Hester, Chicago
Wk 3
RB Brian Westbrook, Philadelphia
CB Anthony Henry, Dallas
LB Lance Laury, Seattle
Wk 4
QB Brett Favre, Green Bay
DE Osi Umenyiora, NY Giants
PR-KR Steve Breaston, Arizona
Wk 5
QB Jason Campbell, Washington
CB Rod Hood, Arizona
K Nick Folk, Dallas
Wk 6
RB Adrian Peterson, Minnesota
CB Charles Woodson, Green Bay
WR-PR-KR Devin Hester, Chicago
Other nominees for NFC Offensive Player of Week 6 were:
-New Orleans quarterback DREW BREES, who completed 25 of 36 passes (69.4 percent) for 246 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions for a 106.9 passer rating in the Saints' 28-17 win at Seattle.
-Washington tight end CHRIS COOLEY, who had a career-high nine receptions and 105 yards with one touchdown in the Redskins' 17-14 loss at Green Bay.
-Philadelphia wide receiver KEVIN CURTIS, who had five catches for 121 yards, including a 75-yard touchdown, in the Eagles' 16-9 win over the New York Jets.
-Tampa Bay wide receiver JOEY GALLOWAY, who had four catches for 97 yards, including a 69-yard touchdown, in the Buccaneers' 13-10 victory over Tennessee.
-Carolina wide receiver STEVE SMITH, who had 10 catches for 136 yards, including a 65-yard touchdown, in the Panthers' 25-10 win at Arizona.
-New York Giants wide receiver AMANI TOOMER, who had seven catches for 89 yards with one touchdown in the Giants' 31-10 victory over Atlanta. Toomer became the club's all-time leading receiver (587 catches) and tied for the most receiving touchdowns (48) in team annals.
-Philadelphia running back BRIAN WESTBROOK, who had 156 scrimmage yards, including 120 rushing.
Other nominees for NFC Defensive Player of Week 6 were:
-Philadelphia cornerback SHELDON BROWN, who had five tackles, two passes defensed and an interception.
-Tampa Bay cornerback PHILLIP BUCHANON, who had seven tackles and an interception.
-New Orleans safety ROMAN HARPER, who had six tackles, a career-high two sacks and a pass defensed.
-Tampa Bay defensive tackle JOVAN HAYE, who had a career-high 12 tackles and one sack.
-Green Bay defensive end AARON KAMPMAN, who had nine tackles and two sacks.
-Carolina defensive end JULIUS PEPPERS, who had seven tackles, 1.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.
-Washington safety SEAN TAYLOR, who had four tackles, four passes defensed, two interceptions and one forced fumble.
Other nominees for NFC Special Teams Player of Week 6 were:
-Tampa Bay kicker MATT BRYANT, who was successful on both field-goal attempts, including the game-winning 43-yarder with 11 seconds remaining.
-Carolina kicker JOHN KASAY, who converted four of five field-goal attempts, including a long of 45 yards.
-Tampa Bay safety KALVIN PEARSON, who had a team-high four special teams tackles.
