Running back AHMAN GREEN of the Green Bay Packers, defensive tackle SHAUN ROGERS of the Detroit Lions and kicker NEIL RACKERS of the Arizona Cardinals are the NFC Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week for games played the seventh week of the 2004 season (October 24-25), the NFL announced Wednesday.
OFFENSE: RB AHMAN GREEN, GREEN BAY PACKERS
Green was an offensive sparkplug for the Packers in a 41-20 win against the Dallas Cowboys at Lambeau Field, improving the club's record to 3-4. Green carried 15 times for 163 yards and two touchdowns, including a historic 90-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. The 90-yard dash was his second career touchdown run of at least 90 yards, joining BO JACKSON as the only players in NFL history to accomplish the feat twice. Green previously had scored on a 98-yard run against the Denver Broncos on December 28, 2003. The 100-yard rushing performance was his 27th with the Packers, passing JIM TAYLOR (26) for the most in franchise history. The Omaha, Nebraska native averaged 10.9 yards per carry in the victory and his one-yard touchdown run in the second quarter gave the Packers a 10-6 lead.
In his seventh season from Nebraska, this is Green's fifth Player of the Week Award.
DEFENSE: DT SHAUN ROGERS, DETROIT LIONS
Rogers played a key role on a Lions' defense that limited the Giants to 13 points - their lowest point total of the season - en route to a 28-13 road-win over New York. Rogers totaled four tackles, 1.0 sack and one pass defensed on the day as the defensive line posted 6.0 sacks in the victory. He also helped contain the Giants powerful rushing attack, led by TIKI BARBER, to 75 yards, its second-lowest output of the year. Detroit, which has now won three consecutive road games, forced five fumbles on the day, recovering one.
In his fourth season from Texas, this is Rogers' first career Player of the Week Award.
SPECIAL TEAMS: K NEIL RACKERS, ARIZONA CARDINALS
Rackers connected on three of three field goal attempts from 55, 55 and 50 yards in the Cardinals 25-17 win over the visiting Seattle Seahawks. Rackers claimed a share of the NFL record for most field goals from 50 yards in a single game, joining MORTEN ANDERSEN as the only players in league history to accomplish the feat. Andersen connected on field goals of 55, 55 and 51 yards for the Atlanta Falcons in a 19-14 win over the New Orleans Saints on December 10, 1995. Rackers had 11 points in the win and also added one special teams tackle. He has connected on nine of 10 field goal attempts in 2004, including five of six from 50 yards.
In his fifth season from Illinois, this is Rackers' first Player of the Week Award.
2004 NFC PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Week 1
QB Daunte Culpepper, Minnesota
LB Nick Barnett, Green Bay
S Bracy Walker, Detroit
Week 2
QB Michael Vick, Atlanta
LB Brian Urlacher, Chicago
P Tom Rouen, Seattle
Week 3
QB Daunte Culpepper, Minnesota
CB Ken Lucas, Seattle
K John Carney, New Orleans
Week 4
RB Tiki Barber, New York
S Adrian Wilson, Arizona
K David Akers, Philadelphia
Week 5
QB Tim Rattay, San Francisco
DE James Hall, Detroit
K Steve Christie, New York
Week 6
QB Daunte Culpepper, Minnesota
CB Lito Sheppard, Philadelphia
P Sean Landeta. St. Louis
Week 7
RB Ahman Green, Green Bay
DT Shaun Rogers, Detroit
K Neil Rackers, Arizona
Other nominees for NFC Offensive Player of Week 7 were:
- Detroit quarterback JOEY HARRINGTON, who completed 18 of 22 passes for 230 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions, posting a 140.5 passer rating. His 81.8 completion percentage is a career-high.
- New Orleans wide receiver JOE HORN, who had nine receptions for 123 yards in a 31-26 road-win at Oakland.
- Philadelphia quarterback DONOVAN MC NABB, who completed 28 of 43 attempts for 376 yards and a career-high tying four touchdown passes, posting a 114.1 passer rating. His 28-yard run in overtime helped set up a game-winning field goal in a 34-31 overtime win versus Cleveland.
- Minnesota rookie running back MELWELDE MOORE, who rushed 20 times for 138 yards and added five receptions for 30 yards in a 20-3 win against Tennessee.
- Philadelphia wide receiver TERRELL OWENS, who totaled four receptions for 109 yards and two touchdowns, tying MIKE QUICK's (1983) team record with his fourth consecutive 100-yard receiving game.
- Tampa Bay running back MICHAEL PITTMAN, who gained 109 yards on 23 carries, including a three-yard touchdown run. He also added two receptions for 55 yards in the 19-7 win over Chicago.
- Arizona running back EMMITT SMITH, who rushed for 106 yards and one touchdown, his 78th career 100-yard rushing game, passing Pro Football Hall of Famer WALTER PAYTON (77) for the most in NFL history. His 23-yard fourth-quarter touchdown run helped seal the Cardinals' victory.
- Green Bay wide receiver JAVON WALKER, who had eight receptions for 129 yards and one touchdown.
Other nominees for NFC Defensive Player of Week 7 were:
- Tampa Bay cornerback RONDE BARBER, who finished with seven tackles, including two for loss, one interception and one pass defensed.
- Tampa Bay defensive end SIMEON RICE, who had three tackles, 2.0 sacks and one pass defensed.
- Philadelphia linebacker JEREMIAH TROTTER, who posted 16 tackles, including two behind the line of scrimmage, in his first start with the club since 2001.
- Minnesota cornerback ANTOINE WINFIELD, who totaled six tackles, one interception and two passes defensed.
Other nominees for NFC Special Teams Player of Week 7 were:
- Philadelphia kicker DAVID AKERS, who was two of two on field goal attempts, including a game-winning 50-yarder in overtime.
- Tampa Bay linebacker KEITH BURNS, who led the team with three special teams tackles and forced a fumble on a kickoff that ultimately led to a field goal.
- New Orleans rookie linebacker COLBY BOCKWOLDT, who recovered a fumble on a kickoff and returned it six yards for a touchdown. He also added two special teams tackles.
- New Orleans safety MEL MITCHELL, who helped force a fumble on a kickoff return and partially blocked a punt, adding two special teams tackles.
Philadelphia safety QUINTIN MIKELL, who forced a fumble, recovered a fumble and posted two special teams tackles.
