Wide receiver Andre Johnson of the Houston Texans, linebacker Joey Porterof the Miami Dolphins, and kicker Stephen Gostkowski of the New England Patriots are the AFC Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Month for October, the NFL announced today.
OFFENSE: WR ANDRE JOHNSON, HOUSTON TEXANS
- Johnson, the NFL's leader in receptions (56) and receiving yards (772), finished October with 41 receptions for 593 yards (14.5 average) and two touchdowns as Houston posted a 3-1 (.750) record for the month. Johnson's 41 receptions were the second most in NFL history in the month of October (Eric Moulds, 42 in 2000). In the month, he joined Lance Alworth (1968) and Harold Jackson (1971-72) as the only players in NFL history to record at least 130 receiving yards in four consecutive games. Johnson averaged 148.3 receiving yards per game in October and has 10 or more receptions in three consecutive games, which tied the league record last week for most consecutive games with 10 or more receptions.
In his sixth season from Miami, this is Johnson's first career Player of the Month Award. He is the first Texans player to win Offensive Player of the Month in franchise history.
DEFENSE: LB JOEY PORTER, MIAMI DOLPHINS
- The vocal and emotional leader of the Dolphins' defense, Porter recorded 14 tackles, 5.5 sacks, two forced fumbles (one resulted in a safety) and one fumble recovery in October as Miami posted a 2-2 record (.500). Porter's 5.5 sacks led the NFL for the month, and his 10.5 sacks for the season are tops through Week 8. The 10th-year linebacker has two sacks in each of the past two games and has at least a half sack in all four games in October. In his second season in Miami, Porter has tied his career-high of 10.5 sacks (2000 and 2005 with Pittsburgh) and needs a half sack to surpass the feat.
In his 10th year from Colorado State, this is Porter's second Player of the Month Award. He previously won the award with the Steelers in 2000 (October). He is the first Miami player to win the award since defensive end Jason Taylor in 2006 (November).
SPECIAL TEAMS: K STEPHEN GOSTKOWSKI, NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
- Gostkowski has made 9 of 10 field goals (90.0 percent) in the month of October and has totaled 38 points to lead the Patriots in scoring. In 2008, Gostkowski has made 16 of 17 field goals (94.1 percent), including a perfect 10-for-10 from under 40 yards. In 2 games this month (at San Francisco on 10/5; against St. Louis on 10/26), Gostkowski made all three field goal attempts as the Patriots won both games by fewer than 10 points. The Mississippi native has made 23 of his past 24 field goal attempts dating back to last season. His career field goal accuracy rate of 85.1 percent (57 of 67) is the best in Patriots history.
In his third year from Memphis, this is Gostkowski's first Player of the Month Award. Gostkowski joins Adam Vinatieri as the only two Patriot kickers to win Special Teams Player of the Month.
