Quarterback BRETT FAVRE of the Green Bay Packers, defensive end BERTRAND BERRY of the Arizona Cardinals and punt returner EDDIE DRUMMOND of the Detroit Lions are the NFC Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week for games played the 10th week of the 2004 season (November 14-15), the NFL announced Wednesday.
OFFENSE: QB BRETT FAVRE, GREEN BAY PACKERS
Favre led the Packers to a thrilling 34-31 win over the NFC North rival Minnesota Vikings at Lambeau Field, improving Green Bay to 5-4 and earning a tie for first place with Minnesota (5-4). Favre completed 20 of 29 attempts for 236 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions, posting a 133.0 passer rating. After the Vikings rebounded from a 31-17 fourth-quarter deficit to tie the score with 1:20 remaining, Favre led the Packers 39 yards in five plays, setting up kicker RYAN LONGWELL's 33-yard game-winning field goal as time expired. The four-touchdown performance was the 18th of his career, breaking a tie with JOHNNY UNITAS (17) for the second-most in NFL history, trailing only DAN MARINO (21). Playing in his 200th consecutive game, Favre led the team to points on four of its first five possessions, helping Green Bay build a 24-10 halftime advantage.
In his 14th season from Southern Mississippi, this is Favre's ninth Player of the Week Award.
DEFENSE: DE BERTRAND BERRY, ARIZONA CARDINALS
Berry was a key factor in the Cardinals' third consecutive home victory, a 17-14 triumph over the New York Giants. He led all Arizona defensive linemen with seven tackles and posted a career-high 4.0 sacks, the second-highest total in franchise history. The former Denver Broncos' lineman who joined the club as a free agent during the offseason totaled 3.0 second-half sacks as the Cardinals posted a shutout over the final two quarters to ensure the victory. Berry's 4.0-sack effort was the first by an Arizona player since defensive end CURTIS GREER had 4.5 on December 18, 1983 in a 31-7 win against Philadelphia.
In his seventh season from Notre Dame, this is Berry's first Player of the Week Award.
SPECIAL TEAMS: PR EDDIE DRUMMOND, DETROIT LIONS
Drummond turned in a historic performance for the Lions, becoming the first player in NFL history with two fourth-quarter punt return touchdowns. With Detroit trailing 17-0 to the Jacksonville Jaguars, Drummond's 55-yard scoring dash put the Lions on the scoreboard with 13:07 remaining. Then after a field goal drew them to within 17-10, Drummond's thrilling 83-yard touchdown return with 46 seconds left forced overtime. The Jaguars ultimately prevailing 23-17. Drummond, who leads the NFL with a 15.2-yard punt return average, became the 11th player ever to have two punt return touchdowns in a single game. His 199 punt return yards are a franchise record and the third-most all-time.
In his third season from Penn State, this is Drummond's first Player of the Week Award. Drummond was named the NFC's Special Teams Player of the Month in September.
2004 NFC PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Wk 1
QB Daunte Culpepper, Minnesota
LB Nick Barnett, Green Bay
S Bracy Walker, Detroit
Wk 2
QB Michael Vick, Atlanta
LB Brian Urlacher, Chicago
P Tom Rouen, Seattle
Wk 3
QB Daunte Culpepper, Minnesota
CB Ken Lucas, Seattle
K John Carney, New Orleans
Wk 4
RB Tiki Barber, New York
S Adrian Wilson, Arizona
K David Akers, Philadelphia
Wk 5
QB Tim Rattay, San Francisco
DE James Hall, Detroit
K Steve Christie, New York
Wk 6
QB Daunte Culpepper, Minnesota
CB Lito Sheppard, Philadelphia
P Sean Landeta. St. Louis
Wk 7
RB Ahman Green, Green Bay
DT Shaun Rogers, Detroit
K Neil Rackers, Arizona
Wk 8
QB Michael Vick, Atlanta
LB Brian Urlacher, Chicago
WR David Tyree, New York
Wk 9
RB Michael Pittman, Tampa Bay
DE Alex Brown, Chicago
WR James Thrash, Washington
Wk 10
QB Brett Favre, Green Bay
DE Bertrand Berry, Arizona
PR Eddie Drummond, Detroit
Other nominees for NFC Offensive Player of Week 10 were:
-Tampa Bay rookie wide receiver MICHAEL CLAYTON (No. 15), who had six receptions for 90 yards, including a 25-yard touchdown catch against Atlanta. Clayton leads NFL rookies with 48 receptions and 685 yards.
-Atlanta tight end ALGE CRUMPLER, who had four receptions for a career-high 118 yards, including a 49-yard touchdown catch in a 24-14 win against Tampa Bay.
-St. Louis running back MARSHALL FAULK, who rushed for a season-high 139 yards on 18 carries, averaging 7.7 yards per attempt in a 23-12 win over Seattle. Faulk added five receptions for 21 yards.
-Green Bay running back AHMAN GREEN, who rushed for 145 yards on 21 carries, averaging 6.9 yards per carry in the win.
-New Orleans wide receiver JOE HORN, who totaled five receptions for a season-high 167 yards, including a 42-yard touchdown catch in a 27-20 win over Kansas City.
-Philadelphia quarterback DONOVAN MC NABB, who completed 15 of 28 attempts for 345 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions, posting a 137.6 passer rating in a 49-21 road win versus Dallas.
-Carolina wide receiver MUHSIN MUHAMMAD, who had six receptions for 123 yards, including a career-high tying three touchdown receptions in a 37-27 road win against San Francisco.
-Philadelphia wide receiver TERRELL OWENS, who had six receptions for 134 yards, including touchdowns of 59, 27 and 16 yards.
Other nominees for NFC Defensive Player of Week 10 were:
-Chicago defensive end ALEX BROWN, who had seven tackles, 0.5 sacks and one forced fumble, teaming with fellow defensive end Adewale Ogunleye to force the game-winning safety in overtime, lifting the Bears to a 19-17 win.
-St. Louis cornerback JERAMETRIUS BUTLER, who had seven tackles, one interception and a career-best four passes defensed, helping hold Seattle without a touchdown.
-Chicago defensive end ADEWALE OGUNLEYE, who had five tackles, 1.5 sacks and one forced fumble, which led to the game-winning safety in overtime.
-Tampa Bay linebacker SHELTON QUARLES, who had a team-leading and career-high 13 tackles, adding 1.5 sacks.
-Philadelphia cornerback LITO SHEPPARD, who scored on a 101-yard interception return and added four tackles.
-Atlanta linebacker MATT STEWART, who had 11 tackles and 2.0 sacks.
Other nominees for NFC Special Teams Player of Week 10 were:
-Tampa Bay cornerback COREY IVY, who finished with a team-leading three special teams tackles.
-Green Bay kicker RYAN LONGWELL, who connected on a game-winning 33-yard field goal and added a 43-yarder to conclude the first half, becoming the first player in team history to score 900 career points.
-Chicago punter BRAD MAYNARD, who punted 11 times for a 46.3-yard average, pinning four punts inside the 20-yard line.
-Chicago punt returner R.W. MC QUARTERS, who returned a punt 75 yards for a touchdown, giving the Bears a 14-7 third-quarter lead. McQuarters averaged 20.5 yards on five punt returns.
-Carolina kicker/punter TODD SAUERBRUN, who saw his first action as a kicker, converting a 34-yard field goal and four extra points. He also punted three times, averaging 49.3 yards per punt.
-Green Bay special teamer BEN STEELE, whose fumble recovery following a Packer kickoff return allowed the club to retain possession late in the fourth quarter, setting up a drive that resulted in the game-winning field goal.
-St. Louis kicker JEFF WILKINS, who connected on three of three field goals from 36, 47 and 23 yards.
