Cornerback IKE TAYLOR of the Pittsburgh Steelers, quarterback PHILIP RIVERS of the San Diego Chargers, and kicker KRIS BROWN of the Houston Texans are the AFC Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week for games played the fifth week of the 2007 season (October 7-8), the NFL announced today.

DEFENSE: CB IKE TAYLOR, PITTSBURGH STEELERS

• Taylor played a key role in the Steelers’ 21-0 shutout against the Seahawks. The veteran cornerback notched five tackles, one interception and four passes defensed as the Steelers recorded their first shutout at Heinz Field and their first home shutout since 10/15/00 against the Cincinnati Bengals. Taylor registered his second interception of the season at Pittsburgh’s goal line on the final play of the first half to end Seattle’s best chance for a score in the game.

      In his fifth year from Louisiana-Lafayette, this is Taylor’s first Player of the Week Award.

OFFENSE: QB PHILIP RIVERS, SAN DIEGO CHARGERS

• In a 41-3 road victory over the Broncos, Rivers completed 13 of 18 (72.2 percent) passed for 270 yards with two touchdowns and a career-best 151.4 passer rating. Rivers scored his first rushing touchdown of his career on a two-yard run for the Chargers’ first score of the game. The Chargers accounted for 484 total yards and posted the club’s most points in a regular-season game since 12/10/06 against the Broncos (48).

      In his fourth year from North Carolina State, this is Rivers’ second Player of the Week Award.

SPECIAL TEAMS: K KRIS BROWN, HOUSTON TEXANS

• Brown connected on all five field goal attempts, including a career-long 57-yard game-winning field goal as the Texans beat the Dolphins 22-19 for the best start in franchise history (3-2, .600). Brown tied an NFL record with three field goals of 50-plus yards (54, 54 and 57), joining MORTEN ANDERSEN and NEIL RACKERS as the only three kickers in history to accomplish the feat. The Texas native also was the first player in NFL history to make three field goals of 54 yards or longer in a game. Brown set a team record for most points in a game with 16, surpassing his previous mark of 15. 

In his ninth season from Nebraska, this is Brown’s sixth Player of the Week Award.

2007 AFC PLAYERS OF THE WEEK