STEELERS QB BEN ROETHLISBERGER,

TITANS DE KYLE VANDEN BOSCH & COLTS DT DARRELL REID NAMED AFC PLAYERS OF WEEK 16

 

 

 

 

Quarterback BEN ROETHLISBERGER of the Pittsburgh Steelers, defensive end KYLE VANDEN BOSCH of the Tennessee Titans and defensive tackle DARRELL REID of the Indianapolis Colts are the AFC Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week for games played the 16th week of the 2007 season (December 20, December 22-24) the NFL announced today.

 

OFFENSE: QB BEN ROETHLISBERGER, PITTSBURGH STEELERS

• In a Thursday night primetime game, Roethlisberger helped the AFC North champion Steelers improve to 10-5 in a 41-24 win over the Rams.  The Pro Bowl quarterback completed 16 of 20 passes (80.0 percent) for 261 yards with three touchdowns and a 158.3 passer rating.  Roethlisberger’s perfect passer rating was the third of his career, tying him with PEYTON MANNING for the most in NFL history (minimum 10 attempts).  It marked the fifth time this year he has thrown at least three touchdown passes.  Roethlisberger (3,154) crossed the 3,000-yard passing mark for the second straight season, which ties the team record for consecutive 3,000-yard seasons set by TERRY BRADSHAW (1979-80).  Roethlisberger ranks third in the AFC with a career-high 32 touchdown passes. 

 

In his fourth year from Miami (Ohio), this is Roethlisberger’s third career Player of the Week honor and his second of the season.  Roethlisberger is the first Steelers’ quarterback to win the award twice in a season.

 

DEFENSE: DE KYLE VANDEN BOSCH, TENNESSEE TITANS

·         As Tennessee remained in the hunt for the AFC’s final playoff spot, Vanden Bosch was a key contributor as the Titans defense held the Jets to six points.  The All-Star defensive end recorded a team-high 12 tackles, including 3.0 sacks and one forced fumble in a 10-6 win over the Jets.  The seven-year veteran posted his second three-sack game of the season and the third of his career.  Vanden Bosch sacked Jets quarterback CHAD PENNINGTON once in the first quarter, once in the third quarter and once in the fourth quarter.  He now has 12.0 sacks on the season, which ranks third in the AFC, and he needs one-half sack to equal career-high of 12.5 in 2005. 

 

In his seventh season from Nebraska, this is Vanden Bosch’s first career Player of the Week Award.  Vanden Bosch is the first Titan defensive end to win the award since JEVON KEARSE in 2003. 

 

SPECIAL TEAMS: DARRELL REID, INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

·         A mainstay on the Colts special teams unit, Reid was a disruptive force on Sunday as the Colts improved to 5-0 in the AFC South with a 38-15 win over Houston.  The third-year defensive tackle led the team with four special teams tackles.  Reid registered three tackles on kickoff coverage and posted one tackle on punt coverage.  Reid leads the team with 19 special teams tackles. 

 

In his third season from Minnesota, this is Reid’s first career Player of the Week Award.  He is the second Colt to win Special Teams Player of the Week honors in consecutive weeks (T.J. RUSHING).

 

 

2007 AFC PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

 

 

Other nominees for AFC Offensive Player of Week 16 were:

·     Indianapolis tight end DALLAS CLARK, who posted six receptions for 60 yards and two touchdowns.

·     Pittsburgh running back NAJEH DAVENPORT, who totaled 24 carries for 123 yards with one touchdown.

·     Kansas City tight end TONY GONZALEZ, who recorded 10 catches for 137 yards in a 25-20 loss against Detroit.

·     New England running back LAURENCE MARONEY, who rushed for a career-high 156 yards on 14 carries with one touchdown in a 28-7 win over Miami.

·     Indianapolis quarterback PEYTON MANNING, who completed 28 of 35 passes (80.0 percent) for 311 yards with three touchdowns and a 132.3 passer rating.

·     Jacksonville running back FRED TAYLOR, who gained 111 rushing yards on seven carries with one touchdown in a 49-11 win over Oakland.

·     Cincinnati running back KENNY WATSON, who totaled 130 yards on 30 carries and a touchdown in a 19-14 win against Cleveland.

·     Indianapolis wide receiver REGGIE WAYNE, who hauled in 10 catches for 143 yards with one touchdown.

 

Other nominees for AFC Defensive Player of Week 16 were:

·     Cincinnati rookie safety CHINEDUM NDUKWE, who registered 12 tackles and two interceptions in a 19-14 win against Cleveland.

·     Jacksonville defensive end BOBBY MC CRAY, who posted four tackles with two sacks and one forced fumble.

·     Kansas City safety BERNARD POLLARD, who posted six tackles with one interception.

·     New England linebacker MIKE VRABEL, who registered two sacks.

 

Other nominee for AFC Special Teams Player of Week 16 was:

·     Houston punter MATT TURK, who punted four times for 178 yards (44.5 avg.) in a 38-15 loss to the Colts.