FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - The New England Patriots announced today that defensive lineman Andre Carter has been named AFC Defensive Player of the Week by the National Football League for his performance in the Patriots' 37-16 victory over the New York Jets last Sunday.
Carter set a franchise record with 4.5 sacks against the Jets. The previous record was 4.0 by Julius Adams at Atlanta (12-4-77), Tony McGee at Baltimore (11-16-78) and Mike Hawkins vs. NY Jets (9-9-79). Carter's previous best sack total was 2.5 at Carolina on Oct. 11, 2009 while with Washington. It was Carter's third game in 2011 with two or more sacks. He now has a team-leading 9.0 sacks.
It is the second time in his career that Carter has earned a Player of the Week honor. He was named NFC Defensive Player of the Week in Week 17 as a rookie in 2001 with San Francisco when he registered six total tackles and 2.0 sacks at New Orleans on Jan. 1, 2002.
It is the third Player of the Week honor for the Patriots after Tom Brady was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week following the first two games of the season.
