NFL 2013 Week 1: AFC Players of the Week

Quarterback Peyton Manning of the Denver Broncos, linebacker Justin Houston of the Kansas City Chiefs and kicker Nick Folk of the New York Jets are the AFC Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week for games played on NFL Kickoff Weekend 2013.

Offense: QB Peyton Manning, Denver Broncos

In the NFL's annual primetime kickoff game, Manning completed 27 of 42 passes (64.3 percent) for 462 yards with seven touchdowns versus zero interceptions and a 141.1 passer rating in a 49-27 win over the defending Super Bowl champion Baltimore Ravens.

Manning tied an NFL single-game record with seven touchdown passes and joined Pro Football Hall of Famer Y.A. TITTLE (October 28, 1962) as the only quarterbacks with seven passing touchdowns and no interceptions in a game.

Became the first quarterback in NFL history to pass for at least six touchdowns in three different games and tied DREW BREES' NFL record with a seventh game throwing at least five touchdowns.

Extended his own NFL-record for 300-yard passing games (73).

Led the NFL in passing yards (462), touchdowns (seven) and passer rating (141.1) in Week 1.

In his 16th season from Tennessee, this is Manning's 24th Player of the Week award, surpassing TOM BRADY (23) for the most Player of the Week awards since the accolade was instituted in 1984. This is Manning's third Player of the Week award with the Broncos. He most recently won the award in 2012 (Week 17).

Defense: LB Justin Houston, Kansas City Chiefs

Houston registered five tackles and three sacks in the Chiefs' 28-2 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars.

He played a pivotal role for a Chiefs defense that limited the Jaguars to 178 total net yards (107 passing, 71 rushing) and forced two interceptions.

Houston joins Pro Football Hall of Famer DERRICK THOMAS (six on September 6, 1998) and VONNIE HOLLIDAY (three on September 7, 2003) as the only players in franchise history with at least three sacks on Kickoff Weekend.

Houston's three sacks tied for an NFL-high and were the best in the AFC in Week 1.

Since 2012, Houston ranks fourth in the AFC with 13 sacks, trailing only J.J. WATT (20.5), VON MILLER (18.5) and CAMERON WAKE (17.5).

In his third season from Georgia, this is Houston's first career Defensive Player of the Week Award.

Houston is the first Chiefs linebacker to win Defensive Player of the Week since DERRICK JOHNSON in 2011 (Week 8).

Special Teams: K Nick Folk, New York Jets

In the Jets' 18-17 win over Tampa Bay, Folk connected on all three field goals, including a game-winning 48-yard field goal with two seconds remaining in the fourth quarter.

Folk registered his fourth regular-season game-winning field goal since joining the Jets in 2010.

Folk's three field goals tied for second in the NFL in Week 1 and tied for an AFC-best.

In his seventh season from Arizona, this is Folk's third career Special Teams Player of the Week Award. He most recently won the award in 2010 (Week 5).

Other nominees for AFC Offensive Player of Week 1

Cleveland tight end JORDAN CAMERON, who had a career-high nine receptions for a career-best 108 yards (12.0 average) with one touchdown in the Browns' 23-10 loss against Miami.

Miami wide receiver BRIAN HARTLINE, who had nine receptions for 114 yards (12.7 average) and one touchdown in the Dolphins' 23-10 win at Cleveland.

Houston wide receiver ANDRE JOHNSON, who had 12 catches for 146 yards (12.2 average) in the Texans' 31-28 win at San Diego.

Indianapolis quarterback ANDREW LUCK, who completed 18 of 23 passes (78.3 percent) for 178 yards with two touchdowns versus zero interceptions and a 127.9 passer rating in the Colts' 21-17 win over Oakland.

Houston quarterback MATT SCHAUB, who completed 34 of 45 passes (75.6 percent) for 346 yards with three touchdowns versus one interception and a 110 passer rating.

New England running back SHANE VEREEN, who rushed for 101 yards on 14 carries (7.2 average) in the Patriots' 23-21 win at Buffalo. Vereen also added seven catches for 58 yards.

Other nominees for AFC Defensive Player of Week 1

New England cornerback KYLE ARRINGTON, who registered four tackles, two forced fumbles and one pass defensed.

Indianapolis safety ANTOINE BETHEA, who posted 11 tackles, one pass defensed and an interception.

Tennessee linebacker ZACH BROWN, who had a team-high eight tackles with two sacks and one pass defensed in the Titans' 16-9 win at Pittsburgh.

Cleveland defensive end DESMOND BRYANT, who tied career bests with two sacks and one pass defensed.

Houston linebacker BRIAN CUSHING, who tied for a team-high with five tackles, one-pass defensed and an 18-yard interception-return touchdown.

Denver safety DUKE IHENACHO, who posted a team-high 12 tackles with three passes defensed.

Miami cornerback DIMITRI PATTERSON, who posted two tackles, three passes defensed and two interceptions.

Miami defensive end CAMERON WAKE, who registered four tackles and 2.5 sacks.

Other nominees for AFC Special Teams Player of Week 1

Denver punter BRITTON COLQUITT, who punted seven times for 319 yards (45.6 average), including five punts inside of the 20-yard line.

Houston kick returner-wide receiver KESHAWN MARTIN, who returned four kickoffs for 116 yards (29 average), including a 46-yard return. Martin's 29-yard kickoff return average ranked first in the NFL in Week 1.

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NFL 2013 Week 1: AFC Players of the Week