Running back CHRIS JOHNSON of the Tennessee Titans, defensive end LAMARR HOUSTON of the Oakland Raiders and kick returner-defensive back DEVIN MC COURTY of the New England Patriots are the AFC Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week for games played the seventh week of the 2012 season (October 18, 21-22), the NFL announced today.
OFFENSE: RB CHRIS JOHNSON, TENNESSEE TITANS
Johnson rushed for 195 yards on 18 carries (10.8 average) with two touchdowns (16-yard rush TD; 83-yard rush TD) in the Titans’ 35-34 win over the Buffalo Bills.
Johnson’s 195 rushing yards are the third-most in a game this season (JAMAAL CHARLES, 233; AHMAD BRADSHAW, 200).
·In the first quarter, Johnson registered his fourth career rushing touchdown of 80+ yards, the most in NFL history. Johnson surpassed AHMAN GREEN, and Pro Football Hall of Famers HUGH MC ELHENNY, BARRY SANDERS and O.J. SIMPSON as the only players with three career rushing touchdowns of 80+ yards in NFL history.
Posted his fourth career game with 190+ rushing yards, the most among active players.
Since Week 4, Johnson leads the NFL with 451 rushing yards.
Since entering the NFL in 2008, Johnson has an NFL-best 6,141 rushing yards.
In his fifthseason from East Carolina, this is Johnson’s fourth Offensive Player of the Week Award. He most recently won the award in 2011 (Week 12).
DEFENSE: DE LAMARR HOUSTON, OAKLAND RAIDERS
Houston posted eight tackles, one sack and one forced fumble in the Raiders’ 26-23 overtime win over Jacksonville.
In the fourth quarter, Houston sacked Jaguars quarterback CHAD HENNE on third down to limit Jacksonville to a field goal.
In overtime, Houston forced a fumble that was recovered by the Raiders at the Jaguars’ 21, resulting in a game-winning 40-yard field goal by Raiders kicker SEBASTIAN JANIKOWSKI.
Houston played a pivotal role for a Raiders defense that limited the Jaguars to 209 total net yards (155 passing; 54 rushing).
Helped hold Jacksonville to a seven percent (one of 15) conversion rate on third downs.
In his third season from Texas, this is Houston’s first career Defensive Player of the Week Award.
He is the first Raider to win Defensive Player of the Week since KAMERION WIMBLEY in 2010 (Week 17).
SPECIAL TEAMS: KR-DB DEVIN MC COURTY, NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
·McCourty returned six kickoffs for 199 yards (33.2 average), including a 104-yard kickoff-return touchdown in the Patriots’ 29-26 overtime win against the New York Jets.
·McCourty’s return was the second-longest kickoff-return touchdown in Patriots history, trailing only ELLIS HOBBS (108-yard kickoff-return touchdown on September 9, 2007).
·McCourty’s return was the Patriots first kickoff-return touchdown since BRANDON TATE registered a 103-yard KR-TD on October 4, 2010 against the Dolphins.
·He also started at safety on defense and totaled five tackles in the game.
·In his third season from Rutgers, this is McCourty’s first career Special Teams Player of the Week Award.
·He is the first Patriot to win Special Teams Player of the Week since JULIAN EDELMAN in 2011 (Week 11).
2012 AFC PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Offense
Defense
Special Teams
Wk 1
QB Joe Flacco, Baltimore
CB Tracy Porter, Denver
PR-WR Jeremy Kerley, New York Jets
Wk 2
RB Reggie Bush, Miami
DE J.J. Watt, Houston
PR-CB Adam Jones, Cincinnati
Wk 3
RB Jamaal Charles, Kansas City
DE Michael Johnson, Cincinnati
KR-RB Darius Reynaud, Tennessee
Wk 4
QB Tom Brady, New England
LB Donald Butler, San Diego
K Matt Prater, Denver
Wk 5
WR Reggie Wayne, Indianapolis
DT Randy Starks, Miami
K Shaun Suisham, Pittsburgh
Wk 6
QB Peyton Manning, Denver
S Jairus Byrd, Buffalo
KR-WR Jacoby Jones, Baltimore
Wk 7
RB Chris Johnson, Tennessee
DE Lamarr Houston, Oakland
KR-DB Devin McCourty, New England
Other nominees for AFC Offensive Player of Week 7 as submitted by AFC clubs:
Pittsburgh running back JONATHAN DWYER, who rushed for 122 yards on 17 carries (7.2 average) in the Steelers’ 24-17 win at Cincinnati.
New York Jets wide receiver JEREMY KERLEY, who had seven receptions for 120 yards (17.1 average) in the Jets’ 29-26 overtime loss at New England.
Indianapolis rookie quarterback ANDREW LUCK, who registered two rushing touchdowns in the Colts’ 17-13 win over Cleveland.
Houston quarterback MATT SCHAUB, who completed 23 of 37 passes (62.2 percent) for 256 yards with two touchdowns versus zero interceptions and a 100.7 passer rating in the Texans’ 43-13 win over Baltimore.
Other nominees for AFC Defensive Player of Week 7 as submitted by AFC clubs:
Houston cornerback JOHNATHAN JOSEPH, who had a 52-yard interception-return touchdown.
New England linebacker ROB NINKOVICH, who had six tackles, 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble.
Houston defensive end ANTONIO SMITH, who had three tackles and two sacks.
Pittsburgh linebacker LA MARR WOODLEY, who had three tackles, one interception and a pass defensed.
Other nominees for AFC Special Teams Player of Week 7 as submitted by AFC clubs:
New England kicker STEPHEN GOSTKOWSKI, who made two field goals, including a 48-yard field goal in overtime.
Oakland kicker SEBASTIAN JANIKOWSKI, who made four field goals, including a 40-yard game-winning field goal in overtime.
