FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - The New England Patriots announced today that S James Sanders has been named AFC Defensive Player of the Week by the National Football League for his performance in the Patriots' 39-26 victory over Pittsburgh on Sunday. It is the first time that Sanders has received the AFC Defensive Player of the Week honor.
Sanders returned a fourth quarter interception 32 yards for a touchdown. It is the second time in his career that he has returned an interception for a touchdown. He returned an interception 39 yards for a score as a rookie at Buffalo on Dec. 11, 2005.
Sanders is the first Patriots player to be honored with a Player of the Week Award in 2010.
Last season, the Patriots received a Player of the Week honor six times. QB Tom Brady was named Offensive Player of the week three times, S Brandon Meriweather and CB Leigh Bodden were named Defensive Player of the Week and K Stephen Gostkowski was named Special Teams Player of the Week. Brady was also named Offensive Player of the Month for October.
