Quarterback DREW BLEDSOE of the New England Patriots, safety ROD WOODSON of the Baltimore Ravens and kicker MIKE VANDERJAGT of the Indianapolis Colts are the AFC Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week for games played the fifth week of the 2000 season (October 1-2), the NFL announced today.

Bledsoe completed 18 of 27 attempts for 271 yards and four touchdowns (with one interception) for a 123.6 passer rating in the Patriots’ 28-19 win over the Denver Broncos. It was New England’s first win in Denver since September 29, 1968.

Bledsoe’s yardage total gave him 27,033 career passing yards to break STEVE GROGAN’s club record (26,886). The Patriots built a 21-3 first-half lead as Bledsoe completed 12 of 17 passes for 181 yards and three touchdowns for a 144.9 passer rating for the half.

In his eighth season from Washington State, this is Bledsoe’s sixth Player of the Week honor.

Woodson had eight tackles, an interception and a fumble recovery in the Ravens’ 12-0 win over the Cleveland Browns. Woodson’s interception was the 56th of his career, tying him with Carolina’s EUGENE ROBINSON for the most among active players. The Ravens’ defense recorded its second consecutive shutout and limited the Browns to 230 yards.

With 1:10 remaining in the first half and Baltimore ahead 9-0, Cleveland drove deep into Ravens territory. On a second-and-goal at the Baltimore four, the Ravens forced a fumble which Woodson recovered in the end zone for a touchback. In the fourth quarter, Cleveland had a second-and-goal at the Baltimore three when Woodson forced the Browns’ ball carrier out of bounds for a seven-yard loss. The Ravens held the Browns without a score on that drive as well.

In his 14th season from Purdue, this is Woodson’s eighth Player of the Week honor. He is tied with Washington’s BRUCE SMITH for the most player of the week honors among active defenders.

Vanderjagt kicked the game-winning 45-yard field goal as time expired and had one extra point in the Colts’ 18-16 win over the Buffalo Bills. It was Vanderjagt’s third game-winning field goal in Indianapolis’ past five road games. Indianapolis won its first game in Buffalo since 1994.

In his third season from West Virginia, this is Vanderjagt’s second Player of the Week honor.

Other nominees for AFC Offensive Player of Week 5 were: Kansas City wide receiver DERRICK ALEXANDER, who had five receptions for 153 yards and one touchdown in the Chiefs’ 27-14 win over Seattle; Miami wide receiver ORONDE GADSDEN, who had six receptions for 73 yards and two touchdowns in the Dolphins’ 31-16 win over Cincinnati; Tennessee running back EDDIE GEORGE, who rushed 35 times for 125 yards and one touchdown and had four receptions for 52 yards, and Titans quarterback STEVE MC NAIR, who completed 24 of 35 attempts for 293 yards and three touchdowns for a 122.7 passer rating, in Tennessee’s 28-14 win over the New York Giants; San Diego quarterback JIM HARBAUGH, who completed 27 of 40 passes for 348 yards and two touchdowns in the Chargers’ 57-31 loss to St. Louis; Denver wide receiver ROD SMITH, who had a career-high 13 catches for 160 yards; and Pittsburgh quarterback KORDELL STEWART, who completed 10 of 16 passes for 132 yards and had nine carries for 61 yards in the Steelers’ 24-13 win over Jacksonville.

Other nominees for AFC Defensive Player of Week 5 were: Pittsburgh defensive end JASON GILDON, who had five tackles, two sacks and a fumble recovery; Kansas City defensive end ERIC HICKS, who had six tackles and a career-high three sacks; New England linebacker WILLIE MC GINEST, who had five tackles, one sack, a pass defensed, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery; and Miami defensive end JASON TAYLOR, who had six tackles, one sack, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and a touchdown.

Other nominees for AFC Special Teams Player of Week 5 were: Denver rookie cornerback-kick returner DELTHA O’NEAL, who had two kick returns for 112 yards, including an 87-yard touchdown; Pittsburgh rookie cornerback-kick returner HANK POTEAT, who had three punt returns for 51 yards and one kickoff return for 31 yards; Baltimore kicker MATT STOVER, who accounted for 12 points with four field goals; and Miami punter DAN TURK, who averaged 60.3 yards on three punts.