QB MATT CASSEL, NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS - AFC Offensive Player of the Week
Making his first career start on Monday Night Football, Cassel completed 18 of 24 passes (75.0 percent) for
185 yards with a career-high three touchdowns and a 136.3 passer rating as the Patriots defeated the Broncos
41-7.
Matt Cassel connected with wide receiver RANDY MOSS for his first two touchdown passes of the game, starting
with a 13-yard strike in the end zone followed by a screen pass that Moss sprinted 27 yards for a score. The
fourth-year veteran connected with wide receiver WES WELKER on a six-yard toss for his career-best third
touchdown of the night.
Cassel’s career-high 136.3 passer rating was the highest in the NFL for Week 8. New England extended its win
streak on Monday night to five consecutive games.
In his fourth season from Southern California, this is Cassel’s first AFC Offensive Player of the Week
Award. He joins DREW BLEDSOE, TOM BRADY, TONY EASON and SCOTT ZOLAK as the fifth Patriots quarterback to
win the award. Patriots quarterback DOUG FLUTIE won AFC Special Teams Player of the Week in 2005 (Week 17).
LB TERRELL SUGGS, BALTIMORE RAVENS - AFC Defensive Player of the Week
Helping the Baltimore Ravens capture their first road win of the NFL 2008 season, Linebacker Terrell Suggs
registered nine tackles, one sack and one interception-touchdown return in a 27-13 victory against Miami.
The veteran linebacker broke a 3-3, second quarter tie when he jumped in front of a CHAD PENNINGTON pass
intended for running back PATRICK COBBS and raced 44 yards for his first career interception-touchdown return.
The 2005 Defensive Rookie of the Year recorded his 49th sack of his career and leads the team with four
sacks in six games this season. The Ravens defense ranks second in the NFL allowing 243.8 yards per game.
In his sixth year from Arizona State, this is Terrell Suggs’ second career Defensive Player of the Week
Award. He previously won the award in 2005 (Week 13). Suggs is the first defensive player from Baltimore
to win the award since RAY LEWIS in 2006 (Week 1).
K SEBASTIAN JANIKOWSKI, OAKLAND RAIDERS - AFC Special Teams Player of the Week
Oakland Raiders Kicker Sebastian Janikowski secured TOM CABLE’s first win as the Okaland Raiders’ head coach
and Oakland’s first home win of the season with a franchise record 57-yard field goal to defeat the New York
Jets 16-13 in overtime.
Janikowski’s kick was the longest overtime field goal in NFL history, surpassing Packers’ kicker CHRIS JACKE
(53 yards on 10/14/96).
Janikowski now has scored 855 points in his career and needs nine points to surpass Pro
Football Hall of Famer GEORGE BLANDA (863) as the Raiders’ all-time leading scorer.
In his ninth season from Florida State, this is Janikowski’s third career Special Teams Player of the Week Award. He previously won the award in 2005 (Week 4).
RB STEVEN JACKSON, ST. LOUIS RAMS - NFC Offensive Player of the Week
The fifth-year running back rushed for 160 yards on 25 carries (6.4 average) and scored three touchdowns in
the Rams’ 34-14 win over the Dallas Cowboys.
Steven Jackson got the Rams off to a fast start rushing for two first quarter touchdowns (eight, one) less than
three minutes apart to put the Rams up 21-7, and added a 56-yard touchdown run in the third quarter.
The 160-yard output was the second-highest of Jackson’s career (179 vs. Jax. on 10/30/05) and his three
rushing touchdowns tied his career-high (12/31/06 at Min.). Jackson added two receptions for 16 yards giving
him 176 yards from scrimmage.
In his fifth season from Oregon State, this is Jackson’s second career Player of the Week Award (Week 16, 2006). Jackson’s two Player of the Week Awards places him behind Pro Football Hall of Famer ERIC DICKERSON (three) and MARSHALL FAULK (six) as the running backs with the most offensive awards in franchise history.
S AARON ROUSE, GREEN BAY PACKERS - NFC Defensive Player of the Week
In the Green Bay Packers’ 34-14 victory against the Indianapolis Colts, Rouse had seven tackles, two passes
defensed and an interception which he returned 99 yards for a touchdown.
Aaron Rouse’s touchdown put the Packers up 34-7 and was the second interception of a PEYTON MANNING pass that
was returned for a touchdown in the game (NICK COLLINS, 62 yards). The 99-yard interception-touchdown return
ties for the longest such play in Packers history (TIM LEWIS vs. L.A. Rams, 11/18/84).
The Packers have returned a league-high five interceptions for touchdowns through seven games in 2008.
The 1961 San Diego Chargers hold the NFL single-season record for interceptions returned for touchdowns (9).
In his second year from Virginia Tech, this is Rouse’s first career Player of the Week Award. The last Packers player to be honored on defense was CHARLES WOODSON (Week 6, 2007). Rouse is only the third safety in franchise history to be named Defensive Player of the Week and the first since LE ROY BUTLER (Week 3, 1996).
S ZACKARY BOWMAN, CHICAGO BEARS - NFC Special Teams Player of the Week
Zackary Bowman, a rookie safety (fifth round, Nebraska) who was elevated from the practice squad during the
week, recovered a fumble in the end zone for his first career touchdown in the Bears’ 48-41 victory over the
division-rival Minnesota Vikings.
Late in the second quarter, the Bears punted deep into Minnesota Vikings territory, but as Vikings returner
CHARLES GORDON attempted to block Bowman, the ball deflected off of his arm and rolled into the end zone.
Bowman recovered the loose ball to put the Bears ahead 24-17, a lead they would never relinquish. Bowman’s
touchdown was the Bears’ second special teams touchdown of the day following a blocked punt by rookie safety
CRAIG STELTZ (fourth round, LSU) that was returned 17 yards for a touchdown by running back GARRETT WOLFE.
Bowman later added the game-sealing interception, the first of his career, with 40 seconds remaining and the
Bears leading by seven. Bowman is the first Bears player to record a touchdown and interception in his NFL
debut since GERALD “BONES” WEATHERLY (9/17/50 vs. L.A. Rams).
In his rookie season from Nebraska, this is Bowman’s first career Player of the Week Award. He is the eighth Bears player to be honored for special teams and the first since DEVIN HESTER (Week 17, 2007).
NFL 2008 Season NFC PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
NFL 2008 Week 1 - NFC Players of the Week
RB Michael Turner, Atlanta DE Adewale Ogunleye, Chicago PR-KR Will Blackmon, Green Bay
NFL 2008 Week 2 - NFC Players of the Week
QB Kurt Warner, Arizona S Chris Horton, Washington KR-RB Felix Jones, Dallas
NFL 2008 Week 3 - NFC Players of the Week
RB Michael Turner, Atlanta S Brian Dawkins, Philadelphia K John Carney, NY Giants
NFL 2008 Week 4 - NFC Players of the Week
QB Jake Delhomme, Carolina LB Derrick Brooks, Tampa Bay K Matt Bryant, Tampa Bay
NFL 2008 Week 5 - NFC Players of the Week
RB CLINTON PORTIS, WASHINGTON REDSKINS CB ANTOINE WINFIELD, MINNESOTA VIKINGS PR-RB REGGIE BUSH, NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
NFL 2008 Week 6 - NFC Players of the Week
QB DREW BREES, NEW ORLEANS SAINTS S OSHIOMOGHO ATOGWE, ST. LOUIS RAMS WR SEAN MOREY, ARIZONA CARDINALS
NFL 2008 Season AFC PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
NFL 2008 Week 1 - AFC Players of the Week
RB Willie Parker, Pittsburgh CB Cortland Finnegan, Tennessee WR-KR Roscoe Parrish, Buffalo
NFL 2008 Week 2 - AFC Players of the Week
WR Brandon Marshall, Denver S Troy Polamalu, Pittsburgh LB Keith Bulluck, Tennessee
NFL 2008 Week 3 - AFC Players of the Week
RB Ronnie Brown, Miami CB Antonio Cromartie, San Diego K Josh Scobee, Jacksonville
NFL 2008 Week 4 - AFC Players of the Week
NFL 2008 Week 5 - AFC Players of the Week
QB BEN ROETHLISBERGER, PITTSBURGH STEELERS LB GARY BRACKETT, INDIANAPOLIS COLTS K MATT PRATER, DENVER BRONCOS
NFL 2008 Week 6 - AFC Players of the Week
QB PEYTON MANNING, INDIANAPOLIS COLTS CB ERIC WRIGHT, CLEVELAND BROWNS WR-PR JACOBY JONES, HOUSTON TEXANS
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RELATED: NFL 2008 Week 7 - NFL Kickoff Weekend
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Adrian Peterson, NFL Rookie of the Year & Pro Bowl MVP
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NFL 2008
Rookie of the Year & Pro Bowl MVP Adrian Peterson Ready to Pick Up Where He Left Off
2008 NFL Football Player Profile: Adrian Peterson Running Back Minnesota Vikings
During the NFL 2007 Regular season, Minnesota Vikings rookie sensation ADRIAN PETERSON ranked second in the NFL (and first in the NFC) with
1,341 rushing yards and 12 rushing touchdowns, carried the ball 238 times and led the league rushing for 95.8
yards per game.
Adrian Peterson also rushed for 296 yards rushing against the San Diego Chargers (November 4, 2007), setting
the single-game rushing record. Peterson also made 19 receptions for 268 yards including a 60 yard touchdown,
and amassed 2,021 combined net yards.
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NFL 2008: Chargers' Running Back La Dainian Tomlinson Closes in On Records
2008 NFL Football Player Profile: La Dainian Tomlinson Running Back San Diego Chargers
In 2008, San Diego Chargers running back La Dainian Tomlinson can pass Pro Football Hall of Famer ERIC
DICKERSON and become the only player in history to begin a career with eight consecutive 1,200-yard rushing
seasons. Tomlinson can also extend his streak of consecutive seasons to start a career with at least 10 rushing
touchdowns to eight. With nine rushing touchdowns, Tomlinson (currently 115) will pass Pro Football Hall of Famer MARCUS ALLEN
(123) to move into second place all-time.
Atlanta Falcons running back MICHAEL TURNER, who served as Tomlinson’s understudy for four seasons in San Diego, observed Tomlinson’s attributes firsthand.
NFL 2008 Quarterbacks Review & Preview
Last Season 7 QBs threw for 4,000 yards, the most ever in a single season
The NFL has a long history of excellence at the quarterback position, but the recent influx of poised
and accurate passers has been steady and remarkable. Coaches’ schemes continue to grow more
and more complex, taking advantage of the unique talents of today’s QBs. Last season Seven quarterbacks threw
for 4,000 yards, the most ever in a single season; PEYTON MANNING continued to rise to the top of
the NFL’s record books; Tom Brady was named the 2007 AP NFL MVP after a record-shattering regular season
who set or tied nine NFL records; and Eli Manning took charge and marched the Giants to Super Bowl Victory and
was named Super Bowl XLII MVP.
NFL 2008: Peyton Manning Colts QB Continues Rising to Top of NFL Record Books
Peyton Manning can become 1st to throw 25 TDs 11 years in a row & pass for 4,000 yards in 9 different seasons.
Indianapolis Colts quarterback PEYTON MANNING continues to rise to the top of
the NFL’s record books. In 2008, Manning can become the first QB in NFL annals to
throw 25 touchdowns in 11 years in a row as well as become the first to pass for 4,000
yards in nine different seasons. Manning’s success has been attributed to his superior
work ethic, preparation, focus, dedication and competitive spirit.
NFL 2008 Kickoff & Punt Returners: Thank Devin For Many Happy Returns
Devin Hester of the Chicago Bears is Widely Considered the King of Return Specialists
With six combined kick-return touchdowns in 2007 (four punt and two kickoff), Chicago’s DEVIN HESTER -- a Pro Bowl All-Star in each of his two NFL seasons -- is widely considered the
king of the return specialists. But there are several worthy adversaries to his throne. Though Hester’s kick-return touchdown total set an NFL record, he led in neither kickoff nor
punt return average.
NFL 2008: Double Trouble Running Backs & Big Play Excitement Wide Receivers
Momentum comes in the form of a big play in the running or passing game.
Double-Trouble Running Backs seem to be all over the NFL. Guys like La Dainian Tomlinson, Brian Westbrook,
Joseph Addai and others. These are the running backs that can hurt you two ways: rushing or catching the ball.
Wide Receivers such as Torry Holt and Braylon Edwards produce momentum-changing exhilaration from their
teammates and the crowd.
NFL 2008: Active Streaks & Individual Accomplishments on the Horizon
Patriots & Colts Active Win Streaks; Peyton Manning & La Dainian Tomlinson Headline Individual Accomplishments
The National Football League's 2008 Season should be a year full of major individual and team record-breaking
performances. The New England Patriots look to continue building upon their regular season all-time winning streak
while the Indianapolis Colts are on track to extend their consecutive 12 or victories per season to six. Peyton Manning and La Dainian Tomlinson continue to expand on their Hall of Fame in the making individual
performances. Plus other NFL Players are likely to set or build upon great individual accomplishments.
NFL 2008 Running Backs: Tandem Backfields - Good Things Come in Pairs
Last season, 12 clubs boasted 2 running backs with at least 500 rushing yards apiece, including 5 playoff teams
"Tandem" backfields continue to grow! Last season, 12 clubs boasted two running backs with at least 500 rushing yards apiece, including five
playoff teams – the New York Giants, Dallas Cowboys, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars and Seattle Seahawks.
Additionally, the Super Bowl XLII champion Giants became the fifth Super Bowl winning team since 2000 to feature
two running backs with more than 500 rushing yards each (2006 Colts, 2003 Patriots, 2002 Buccaneers, 2000 Ravens).
In the eight prior seasons, only one such team won the coveted Lombardi Trophy (1996 Packers)
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