NFL 2011 Week 5 - AFC and NFC Players of the Week

AFC and NFC Players of the Week
NFL 2011 Week 5

Quarterback BEN ROETHLISBERGER of the Pittsburgh Steelers, safety GEORGE WILSON of the Buffalo Bills and kicker SEBASTIAN JANIKOWSKI of the Oakland Raiders are the AFC Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week for games played the fifth week of the 2011 season (October 9-10).

OFFENSE: QB BEN ROETHLISBERGER, PITTSBURGH STEELERS

Roethlisberger completed 24 of 34 passes (70.6 percent) for 228 passing yards with five touchdowns and a 116.2 passer rating in a 38-17 win over the Tennessee Titans.

Tied a franchise record with five touchdown passes in a single game. He previously accomplished the feat on November 5, 2007 against Baltimore.

His five touchdown passes led the NFL in Week 5.

Posted a season-best 116.2 passer rating and Steelers are 40-4 (.909) when Roethlisberger has 100+ passer rating.

Roethlisberger (152 career TD passes) joined Pro Football Hall of Famer TERRY BRADSHAW (212) as the second quarterback in franchise history to reach 150 career touchdowns.

In his eighth year from Miami (Ohio), this is Roethlisberger's seventh career Offensive Player of the Week Award. He most recently won the award in 2010 (Week 17).

DEFENSE: S GEORGE WILSON, BUFFALO BILLS

Wilson registered a team-high 11 tackles, one tackle for a loss, three passes defensed and an interception in the Bills' 31-24 win over the Philadelphia Eagles.

In the first quarter, Wilson recorded the second of the Bills' four interceptions in the game.

Wilson has recorded an interception in three consecutive games and is tied for first in the NFL with three INTs.

Has registered a team-high 45 tackles this season.

Through Week 5, Buffalo's defense ranks first in the NFL in interceptions (12) and takeaways (16; 12 INTs, four FRs).

In his sixth season from Arkansas, this is Wilson's first career Defensive Player of the Week Award. He is the first Bills safety to win the award since LAWYER MILLOY in 2004 (Week 11).

SPECIAL TEAMS: K SEBASTIAN JANIKOWSKI, OAKLAND RAIDERS

Janikowski connected on all four field goals (54, 55, 50, 42) and one extra point in a 25-20 win over the Houston Texans.

Janikowski's three field goals of 50+ yards tied an NFL record for the most field goals of at least 50 yards in a game in NFL history.

Through Week 5, Janikowski has an NFL-best five field goals of 50+ yards (five-of-six, 83.3 percent), including a league-record tying 63 yarder against Denver in Week 1.

In his 12th season from Florida State, this is Janikowski's fifth career Special Teams Player of the Week Award. He most recently won the award in Week 1.

Running back ADRIAN PETERSON of the Minnesota Vikings, linebacker PATRICK WILLIS of the San Francisco 49ers and kicker MASON CROSBY of the Green Bay Packers are the NFC Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week for games played the fifth week of the 2011 season (October 9-10).

OFFENSE: RB ADRIAN PETERSON, MINNESOTA VIKINGS

Peterson rushed for 122 yards and three touchdowns in the Vikings' 34-10 win over Arizona.

He ran for three touchdowns in the first quarter and is the fifth player since the 1970 merger to accomplish the feat, joining Pro Football Hall of Famer ERIC DICKERSON (10/31/88 vs. Denver), JAMES STEWART (10/12/97 vs. Philadelphia), STEPHEN DAVIS (9/19/99 vs. New York Giants) and TIM BIAKABUTUKA (10/3/99 vs. Washington).

Peterson had TD runs of four, 24 and 14 yards in the first quarter as the Vikings built a commanding 28-0 lead. His first two touchdowns came just 23 seconds apart. That's the fastest a player has scored two rushing touchdowns since Pro Football Hall of Famer EMMITT SMITH in 1999 (18 seconds, 11/8/99 vs. Minnesota).

In his fifth season from Oklahoma, this is his fifth career Player of the Week Award and first since Week 3, 2010.

Peterson's five Player of the Week Awards are tied for the second-most in franchise history behind DAUNTE CULPEPPER's eight. Pro Football Hall of Famer JOHN RANDLE and CHRIS DOLEMAN each won five times.

DEFENSE: LB PATRICK WILLIS, SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

Willis had a team-best and season-high 18 tackles and recovered a fumble in the 49ers' 48-3 win over Tampa Bay. It marked his most tackles in a game since 2008 (22 tackles, 10/5/08 vs. New England).

Willis led a defense that held the Buccaneers to three points and 272 total net yards (86 rushing, 186 passing).

The 49ers recorded three takeaways (two interceptions, one fumble) and three sacks. San Francisco leads the NFC with 14 takeaways and a +10 turnover differential.

The 45-point margin of victory was the team's largest since Super Bowl XXIV (San Francisco 55, Denver 10).

In his fifth year from Mississippi, this is Willis' first career Player of the Week Award.

He is the first 49ers linebacker to be honored since 2006 (BRANDON MOORE, Week 9).

SPECIAL TEAMS: K MASON CROSBY, GREEN BAY PACKERS

Crosby converted all four field-goal attempts, including a 56-yarder in the Packers' 25-14 win at Atlanta. He also recorded a touchback on six of his seven kickoffs.

Crosby's 56-yard field goal in the third quarter tied for the longest in team history, which he set last year in Week 1. His four field goals tied his single-game career-high, set three other times.

This season, Crosby has connected on all nine field-goal attempts and, dating back to last season, has converted 16 consecutive field goals in the regular season. That is the second longest streak in franchise history (CHRIS JACKE, 17).

In his fifth season from Colorado, this is Crosby's third career Player of the Week Award (Week 1, 2007 and Week 1, 2010).

Crosby joins RYAN LONGWELL (five) as the only kickers in team history to be honored three times.