|
FOR USE AS DESIRED STEELERS QB BEN ROETHLISBERGER, Quarterback BEN ROETHLISBERGER of the Pittsburgh Steelers, linebacker JAMES FARRIOR of the Pittsburgh Steelers and punter BRIAN MOORMAN of the Buffalo Bills are the AFC Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week for games played the sixth week of the 2004 season (October 17-18), the NFL announced today. OFFENSE: QB BEN ROETHLISBERGER, PITTSBURGH STEELERS In a thrilling come-from-behind 24-20 victory at Dallas, the Pittsburgh rookie quarterback was 21 of 25 passing (84.0 percent) for 193 yards with two touchdowns without an interception to post a 125.5 passer rating. The 6-5, 240-pounder’s completion percentage of 84.0 marked an all-time NFL rookie single-game best with a minimum of 25 passes. Roethlisberger rallied the Steelers from a 10-point fourth quarter deficit by completing his final 11 passes for 88 yards and a touchdown. The 11th overall selection in the 2004 NFL Draft from Miami (Ohio) is the first AFC rookie to win Offensive Player of the Week honors since Denver running back MIKE ANDERSON in 2000 (Week 14). DEFENSE: LB JAMES FARRIOR, PITTSBURGH STEELERS Pittsburgh’s Farrior notched 2.0 sacks, forced three fumbles, and registered nine total tackles in the team’s road win at Dallas. While Roethlisberger led the Steelers on offense, Farrior did the same on defense. The eight-year veteran from Virginia turned in his biggest play with 2:36 left in regulation as Dallas faced a 3rd-and-13 situation on the Steelers’ 47-yard line. With the Cowboys leading, 20-17, a blitzing Farrior jarred the ball loose and teammate KIMO VON OELHOFFEN recovered for Pittsburgh. The Steelers converted the turnover into a touchdown run by JEROME BETTIS five plays later for the game’s final and deciding score with 34 seconds to go. This marks the first career Player of the Week distinction for Farrior. Player of the Week honors earned by Farrior and Roethlisberger mark the first time that one team accounted for both the AFC’s Offensive and Defensive Player of the Week Awards since Kansas City’s JOE MONTANA and DERRICK THOMAS in Week 2 of 1994. SPECIAL TEAMS: P BRIAN MOORMAN, BUFFALO BILLS Buffalo’s Moorman helped the Bills maintain a field position edge in a 20-13 win against Miami. In his fourth season from Division II Pittsburg State, Moorman delivered a 53.0-yard average amid 25-mile-per-hour winds. Kicking into the wind in the second quarter, Moorman blasted a 47-yard punt out of his end zone to provide the Buffalo defense some breathing room. Moorman’s long punt of 59 yards marked the 40th time in 53 career games that he has recorded at least one punt of 50+ yards. This is Moorman’s first career Player of the Week Award 2004 AFC PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Other nominees for AFC Offensive Player of Week 6 were: New England running back COREY DILLON, who rushed for two touchdowns and 105 yards on 23 carries (4.6 average) in the Patriots’ 30-20 win against Seattle for New England’s 20th consecutive victory and record-tying 17th consecutive regular season win (1933-34 Chicago Bears). Denver running back REUBEN DROUGHNS, who carried the ball 38 times for 176 yards and one touchdown in a 31-3 win at Oakland. Droughns’ 38 carries accounted for the most in club history in a regular season non-overtime game. Kansas City quarterback TRENT GREEN, who in a 22-16 defeat at Jacksonville, recorded a 107.5 passer rating on 23 of 33 passing (69.7 percent) for 315 yards with a pair of touchdowns against one interception. Buffalo running back WILLIS MC GAHEE, who in his first NFL start rushed for 111 yards on 26 carries (4.3 average) and added three receptions for 31 yards. McGahee also registered a career-long 31-yard run. Other nominees for AFC Defensive Player of Week 6 were: Jacksonville linebacker AKIN AYODELE, who tied a career-high 2.0 sacks and forced a fumble in the Jaguars’ 22-16 win against Kansas City. Ayodele was part of a Jaguars defense that limited the Chiefs’ PRIEST HOLMES to 75 rushing yards on 19 carries (3.9 average). Kansas City defensive end ERIC HICKS, who tallied 1.0 sack and five total tackles. Denver safety JOHN LYNCH, who recorded his 1,000th career tackle in the Broncos’ division win at Oakland. Buffalo linebacker TAKEO SPIKES, who in his 100th career game, recorded an 11-yard interception return for a touchdown in Buffalo’s win against Miami. Spikes had two tackles on the day and added three passes defensed. New England safety EUGENE WILSON, who recorded a game-high 11 solo tackles and forced one fumble in the Patriots’ win against Seattle. Other nominees for AFC Special Teams Player of Week 6 were: Kansas City punter STEVE CHEEK, who punted five times for 212 yards for a 42.4 average. Pittsburgh kicker JEFF REED, who kicked a 51-yard field goal to tie the longest of his career. Reed also registered a kickoff touchback. New England kicker ADAM VINATIERI, who was a perfect three-for-three in field goal attempts of 40, 39, and 30 yards.
|