NFL 2013 Week 8: NFC Players of the Week

Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson, Giants cornerback Terrell Thomas and Vikings kick returner Cordarrelle Patterson are the NFC Players of the Week for games played the eighth week of the NFL 2013 season

Offense: WR Calvin Johnson, Detroit Lions

Johnson had 14 catches for 329 yards and a touchdown in the Lions' 31-30 win over Dallas. His 329 yards are the second-most in a game in NFL history (336, FLIPPER ANDERSON, November 26, 1989) and the most by a player in a regulation (non-overtime) game.

Johnson's 329 yards are the most in franchise history, surpassing the previous mark held by CLOYCE BOX (302) on December 3, 1950. Johnson is one of five players in NFL history with at least 300 receiving yards in a game.

Johnson's five 200-yard receiving games are tied with Pro Football Hall of Famer LANCE ALWORTH for the most in NFL history.

His 14 receptions are tied with HERMAN MOORE (December 4, 1995) for the most by a Lion in a game.

In the past two games, Johnson has totaled 484 receiving yards, the most in a two-game span in NFL history.

In his seventh season from Georgia Tech, this is Johnson's third career Player of the Week Award. He was previously honored in Week 8, 2010 and Week 15, 2011.

Johnson's three Offensive Player of the Week Awards are the most by a wide receiver in franchise history and the second-most by any Lions player, trailing only Pro Football Hall of Famer BARRY SANDERS (11).

Defense: CB Terrell Thomas, New York Giants

Thomas led the team with a career-high 11 tackles in the Giants' 15-7 win at Philadelphia. He also had a sack, a forced fumble and one pass defensed.

With 1:14 remaining in the first half and the Eagles at New York's two-yard line, Thomas recorded a sack and forced a fumble that was recovered by teammate JACQUIAN WILLIAMS. The play kept Philadelphia from scoring and preserved the Giants' 12-0 lead heading into halftime.

Thomas, who missed the previous two seasons with ACL injuries, was part of a defensive unit that limited Philadelphia to 200 total net yards (152 passing, 48 rushing). New York's defense did not allow a point.

In his sixth year from Southern California, this is Thomas' first career Player of the Week Award.

Thomas is the fifth cornerback in franchise history to be named Defensive Player of the Week and the first since 2008. He joins EVERSON WALLS (Week 8, 1990), JASON SEHORN (Weeks 12 and 16, 1997), PHILLIPPI SPARKS (Week 12, 1998) and AARON ROSS (Week 11, 2008).

Special Teams: KR Cordarrelle Patterson, Minnesota Vikings

Patterson returned the opening kickoff 109 yards -- the longest kickoff return in NFL history and tied for the longest play all-time -- in the Vikings' loss to Green Bay. He finished the game with five kickoff returns for 228 yards (45.6 average).

He is one of five rookies in NFL history with at least 200 kickoff return yards and a 45.0+ average in a single game. Among those five rookies, Patterson's 228 yards are the most.

This season, Patterson leads the NFL with a 39.1-yard KR average and two KR-TDs.

In his rookie season from Tennessee, this is Patterson's first career Player of the Week Award. He was named NFC Special Teams Player of the Month for his performance in September.

He is the first Vikings return specialist to be named Special Teams Player of the Week since PERCY HARVIN in 2010 (Week 6).

Patterson is the first rookie return specialist to be honored as Special Teams Player of the Week and Month since PATRICK PETERSON in 2011.

2013 NFC Players of the Week

Week Offense Defense Special Teams
Source: NFL
Wk 1WR Anquan Boldin, 49ersDE Robert Quinn, RamsWR-PR Dwayne Harris, Dallas
Wk 2QB Aaron Rodgers, Green BayCB Richard Sherman, SeattleKR-PR Devin Hester, Chicago
Wk 3TE Jimmy Graham, SaintsDE Greg Hardy, CarolinaP Sam Martin, Detroit
Wk 4QB Drew Brees, SaintsCB Patrick Peterson, ArizonaK Steven Hauschka, Seattle
Wk 5WR DeSean Jackson, EaglesCB Tramaine Brock, San FranciscoK Mason Crosby, Packers
Wk 6QB Nick Foles, EaglesLB Thomas Davis, PanthersKR-PR Dwayne Harris, Cowboys
Wk 7QB Matt Ryan, FalconsLB Sean Lee, CowboysP Andy Lee, 49ers
Wk 8WR Calvin Johnson, LionsCB Terrell Thomas, GiantsKR Cordarrelle Patterson, Vikings

 

Other nominees for NFC Offensive Player of Week 8 as submitted by NFC clubs:

New Orleans quarterback DREW BREES, who completed 26 of 34 passes (76.5 percent) for 332 yards with five touchdowns and no interceptions for a 146.1 passer rating in the Saints' 35-17 win over Buffalo.

Arizona rookie running back ANDRE ELLINGTON, who rushed for 154 yards, including an 80-yard touchdown run in the Cardinals' 27-13 win over Atlanta.

San Francisco running back FRANK GORE, who rushed for two touchdowns and 71 yards in the 49ers' 42-10 win over Jacksonville at London's Wembley Stadium.

San Francisco quarterback COLIN KAEPERNICK, who had a 117.7 passer rating and scored three touchdowns (two rushing, one passing).

Green Bay wide receiver JORDY NELSON, who had seven catches for 123 yards and two touchdowns in the Packers' 44-31 win at Minnesota.

Carolina quarterback CAM NEWTON, who passed for 221 yards with two touchdowns and rushed for 50 yards and a touchdown in the Panthers' 31-13 win at Tampa Bay.

Green Bay quarterback AARON RODGERS, who completed 24 of 29 passes (82.8 percent) for 285 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions for a 130.6 passer rating.

Detroit quarterback MATTHEW STAFFORD, who passed for 488 yards with one touchdown and rushed for the game-winning touchdown.

Other nominees for NFC Defensive Player of Week 8 as submitted by NFC clubs:

Green Bay defensive end MIKE DANIELS, who had two sacks and three tackles.

Seattle linebacker BRUCE IRVIN, who had had nine tackles, a sack, a forced fumble and one interception in the Seahawks' 14-9 win at St. Louis.

Carolina defensive end CHARLES JOHNSON, who had two sacks.

Dallas linebacker SEAN LEE, who had 10 tackles and two interceptions (89 yards) in the Cowboys' loss at Detroit.

St. Louis defensive end CHRIS LONG, who had three sacks and four tackles in the Rams' loss to Seattle.

St. Louis defensive end ROBERT QUINN, who had three sacks and five tackles.

Arizona linebacker DARYL WASHINGTON, who had six tackles, three passes defensed and an interception.

Other nominees for NFC Special Teams Player of Week 8 as submitted by NFC clubs:

New York Giants kicker JOSH BROWN, who converted all five field-goal attempts and scored all of New York's 15 points.

Green Bay punt returner MICAH HYDE, who had a 93-yard punt-return touchdown.

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NFL 2013 Week 8: NFC Players of the Week