NFL 2011 Week 2 Players of the Week

NFL 2011 Week 2 Players of the Week
NFL 2011 Week 2

AFC Players of the Week - NFL 2011 Week 2

Quarterback TOM BRADY of the New England Patriots, cornerback ANTONIO CROMARTIE of the New York Jets and kick returner-wide receiver JOSHUA CRIBBS of the Cleveland Browns are the AFC Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week for games played the second week of the 2011 season (September 18-19)

OFFENSE: QB TOM BRADY, NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

Brady completed 31 of 40 passes (77.5 percent) for 423 passing yards with three touchdowns and a 135.7 passer rating in a 35-21 win over the San Diego Chargers.

He set the record for the most passing yards in the first two weeks of a season with 940 (517 in Week 1, 423 in Week 2).

Brady's 423 passing yards are the most all-time by a player following a 500-yard performance. He is the only player in NFL history to follow a 500-yard passing performance with a 400-yard game.

Brady has won 29 consecutive regular-season games at home, the longest such streak in NFL history.

Through Week 2, Brady leads the NFL in passing yards (940) and passer rating (128) and is tied for NFL-best in touchdowns (7).

In his 12th season from Michigan, Brady earned Player of the Week honors for the 19th time, surpassing Pro Football Hall of Famer DAN MARINO (18) for the second-most Player of the Week awards since the accolade was instituted in 1984 (PEYTON MANNING, 21).

Brady has now won the award in back-to-back weeks (Week 1). He previously won the award in consecutive weeks in 2010 (Weeks 12-13) and in 2007 (Weeks 6-7). He is the only player to earn back-to-back AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors to open a season (Week 1 and Week 2) in the history of the award.

DEFENSE: CB ANTONIO CROMARTIE, NEW YORK JETS

Cromartie recorded three tackles and two interceptions in the Jets' 32-3 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Cromartie's first interception of the game came in the second quarter at the Jets' three-yard line, which he returned 37 yards to the 40.

Registered his second interception of the game in the third quarter at the Jaguars' 27-yard line, which led to a 26-yard return to the Jaguars' one. Jets running back SHONN GREENE scored on a one-yard TD run two plays later.

Posted his fifth career game with at least two interceptions and his teams are 5-0 in such games.

Cromartie helped limit the Jaguars to 91 passing yards for the game and was part of a defensive unit that recorded four interceptions.

In his sixth season from Florida State, this is Cromartie's third career Defensive Player of the Week Award and first as a Jet. He most recently won the award in 2008 (Week 3) with the Chargers.

SPECIAL TEAMS: KR-WR JOSHUA CRIBBS, CLEVELAND BROWNS

Cribbs totaled an AFC-best 132 return yards, including a 52-yard kickoff return and a 43-yard punt return in the Browns' 27-19 win at Indianapolis.

In the second quarter, Cribbs' 52-yard kickoff return led to the Browns' first score of the game on the ensuing drive.

In the fourth quarter with the Browns leading 17-12, Cribbs' 43-yard punt return led to a 24-yard TD run by PEYTON HILLIS three plays later.

Cribbs' 43-yard punt return was the longest in the NFL in Week 2.

Through Week 2, Cribbs leads the AFC with 332 total yards.

In his seventh season from Kent State, this is Cribbs' fourth career Special Teams Player of the Week Award. He most recently won in 2009 (Week 15).

NFC Players of the Week - NFL 2011 Week 2

Quarterback TONY ROMO of the Dallas Cowboys, safety ROMAN HARPER of the New Orleans Saints and kicker JASON HANSON of the Detroit Lions are the NFC Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week for games played the second week of the 2011 season (September 18-19).

OFFENSE: QB TONY ROMO, DALLAS COWBOYS

Romo completed 20 of 33 passes (60.6 percent) for 345 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions for a 116.4 passer rating in the Cowboys’ 27-24 overtime victory at San Francisco.

Playing with a rib injury, Romo led the Cowboys to a fourth-quarter comeback as Dallas tied the game at the end of regulation with a field goal. In overtime, Romo set up the game-winning field goal with a 77-yard pass to wide receiver JESSE HOLLEY.

Romo threw two touchdowns – both to wide receiver MILES AUSTIN – and extended his club record streak of consecutive games with a TD pass to 20.

This season, Romo has 687 passing yards (two 300-yard games) and a 108.8 passer rating.

In his ninth season from Eastern Illinois, this is Romo’s fifth career Player of the Week Award and first since 2007 (Week 13).

Romo and Pro Football Hall of Famer TROY AIKMAN (six) are the only quarterbacks in franchise history to win the award at least five times.

DEFENSE: S ROMAN HARPER, NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

Harper had seven tackles, two sacks and forced a fumble in the Saints’ 30-13 win over Chicago.

He was part of a defense that recorded six sacks and held the Bears to 246 total yards (60 rushing, 186 passing).

The Saints allowed only 42.2 percent of Chicago’s passes to be completed (19 of 45) and Harper was part of a unit that allowed just 3.6 yards per pass play.

Since entering the NFL in 2006, Harper has 12 sacks, the most in the league by a defensive back.

In his sixth year from Alabama, this is Harper’s first career Player of the Week Award.

Harper is the seventh safety in franchise history to be honored and first since MALCOLM JENKINS in 2010 (Week 14).

SPECIAL TEAMS: K JASON HANSON, DETROIT LIONS

Hanson scored 12 points in the Lions’ 48-3 win over Kansas City and set an NFL record by playing in his 297th game for the Lions, the most games played by a player for one team. He surpassed Pro Football Hall of Fame center BRUCE MATTHEWS, who played 296 games for the Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans.

Hanson also became the seventh player in NFL history to reach 1,900 career points (1,911).

He had a long field goal of 51 yards and holds the NFL record for the most 50-yard field goals all-time with 46.

In his 20th season from Washington State, this is Hanson’s 11th career Player of the Week Award and first since 2007 (Week 8).

Hanson’s 11 career Special Teams Player of the Week Awards rank third all-time, trailing JOHN CARNEY (13) and ADAM VINATIERI (13).

Hanson was the first ever NFC Special Teams Player of the Week (Week 1, 1993).