Running back Joseph Addai of the Indianapolis Colts, linebacker Mike Vrabel of the New England Patriots and punter Mike Scifres of the San Diego Chargers are the AFC Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week for games played the eighth week of the 2007 season (October 28-29), the NFL announced today.
OFFENSE: RB JOSEPH ADDAI, INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
Addai led the charge on offense as the Colts improved to 7-0 with a 31-7 road victory over the Panthers. Addai totaled 23 carries for 100 yards (4.3 average) and three touchdowns (2 rushing, 1 receiving). The second-year back recorded his third 100-yard rushing game of the season and became the first Colts' player to record a rushing and receiving touchdown in the same game since 2000. Through Week 8, Addai leads the league with seven rushing touchdowns and has reached the end zone in five his of past six games this season.
In his second year from LSU, this is Addai's second Player of the Week Award. Addai last won the award in Week 12 in 2006.
DEFENSE: LB MIKE VRABEL, NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
In a 52-7 win over Washington, Vrabel was a key factor as the Patriots pushed their record to 8-0. The 11th-year veteran recorded 13 tackles and tied his career-high with three sacks and three forced fumbles. Each of Vrabel's three sacks forced fumbles, which resulted in 17 points off turnovers. Vrabel also registered his second touchdown reception of the season and 10th of his career, including the postseason. He ranks second in the AFC with 7.5 sacks and leads all NFL linebackers.
In his 11th season from Ohio State, this is Vrabel's first Player of the Week Award.
SPECIAL TEAMS: P MIKE SCIFRES, SAN DIEGO CHARGERS
The Chargers prevailed over the Texans 35-10 for their third consecutive win, and Scifres led the way on special teams, punting five times and pinning the Texans inside their 20-yard line all five times (16, 6, 14, 6, and 1-yard lines). The Chargers limited Houston to 13 punt return yards (4.3 average). Scifres tallied a career-high 50.2 net average and had a season-best 63-yard punt. On the season, Scifres ranks fourth in the AFC with a 38.4 net average.
In his fourth season from Western Illinois, this is Scifres' first Player of the Week Award.
Other nominees for AFC Offensive Player of Week 7 were:
- New England quarterback Tom Brady, who completed 29 of 38 passes (76.3 percent) for 306 yards with three touchdowns and a 125.5 passer rating. Brady also contributed two rushing touchdowns.
- Cleveland wide receiver Braylon Edwards, who tied career-high with eight receptions for 117 yards and two touchdowns in the Browns' 27-20 win over St. Louis.
- Buffalo wide receiver Lee Evans, who had five catches for 138 yards and one touchdown in a 13-3 win over the Jets.
- San Diego tight end Antonio Gates, who had three receptions for 92 yards and two touchdowns.
- Pittsburgh running back Willie Parker, who had 22 carries for 126 yards with one TD in a 24-13 victory over the Bengals.
- Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who completed 19 of 26 passes (73.1 percent) for 230 yards with two touchdowns and a 109.5 passer rating.
Other nominees for AFC Defensive Player of Week 8 were:
- San Diego defensive back Antonio Cromartie, who posted a career-high two interceptions, including a 70-yard interception return for a touchdown. Cromartie also scored on a fumble recovery in the end zone.
- Buffalo linebacker Angelo Crowell, who recorded eight tackles and one sack.
- Buffalo defensive end Aaron Schobel, who had five tackles, two forced fumbles and one sack.
- Pittsburgh safety Anthony Smith, who had eight tackles.
Other nominee for AFC Special Teams Player of Week 8 was:
- Buffalo punter Brian Moorman, who had six punts for 206 yards (34.3 avg.) with three punts inside the 20-yard line.
