FOR USE AS DESIRED
NFC-POW-3      9/29/04

VIKINGS QB DAUNTE CULPEPPER, SEAHAWKS CB KEN LUCAS &
SAINTS K JOHN CARNEY NAMED NFC PLAYERS OF WEEK 3

Quarterback DAUNTE CULPEPPER of the Minnesota Vikings, cornerback KEN LUCAS of the Seattle Seahawks and kicker JOHN CARNEY of the New Orleans Saints are the NFC Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week for games played the third week of the 2004 season (September 26-27), the NFL announced today.

OFFENSE: QB DAUNTE CULPEPPER, MINNESOTA VIKINGS

·         Culpepper led the Vikings to a 27-22 win over the NFC North rival Chicago Bears at the Metrodome, completing 19 of 30 attempts for 360 yards and two touchdowns, posting an impressive 127.1 passer rating.  He also added a one-yard touchdown run and his 13 rushing yards on the day improved his career total to 2,002, as he joined FRAN TARKENTON (2,548) as the only quarterbacks in franchise history to top 2,000 rushing yards.  After the Bears drew to within 20-15 in the fourth quarter, Culpepper led Minnesota on a 67-yard touchdown drive, culminating the march with a two-yard scoring strike to RANDY MOSS, giving the Vikings a 27-15 advantage with 5:39 remaining.

In his sixth season from Central Florida, this is Culpepper’s fifth career Player of the Week Award and second of 2004 (Week 1).

DEFENSE: CB KEN LUCAS, SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

·         Lucas played a key role in a historic afternoon for the Seahawks defense, as Seattle posted a 34-0 shutout victory against the division-rival San Francisco 49ers.  On the 49ers second possession, Lucas notched his first interception of the season, returning the pick 25 yards to the San Francisco 26-yard line.  This interception set the tone for the Seahawks defense and led to the team’s first points of the day on a 35-yard field goal by kicker JOSH BROWN.  Lucas, who finished with four tackles, including one for a loss of two yards, and defended three passes, was part of Seahawks defense that ended the 49ers NFL record streak of scoring in 420 consecutive games.  Seattle became the first team since the 1977 Atlanta Falcons to earn a shutout win against San Francisco (October 9, 1977, 7-0). 

In his fourth season from Mississippi, this is Lucas’ second career Player of the Week Award and first since 2002 (Week 15).

SPECIAL TEAMS: K JOHN CARNEY, NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

·         Carney helped the Saints end the Rams’ 15-game home winning streak, playing a vital role in New Orleans’ 28-25 overtime victory.  He connected on five of six field goals, including field goals of 52 and 53 yards in the first half.  Then, after his 38-yarder with three seconds remaining forced overtime, he hit the game-winning field goal from 31 yards, lifting the Saints to the win and a 2-1 record.

In his 15th season from Notre Dame, this is Carney’s 11th career Player of the Week Award.

2004 NFC PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

Other nominees for NFC Offensive Player of Week 3 were:

• Seattle running back SHAUN ALEXANDER, who scored three touchdowns in the win against San Francisco, rushing for 52 yards and two touchdowns and added 22 yards receiving, including a three-yard touchdown catch.
• New York running back TIKI BARBER, who rushed for 106 yards on 23 carries, including an eight-yard touchdown run.  He also added three receptions for 48 yards in the 27-10 home win versus Cleveland.
• New Orleans quarterback AARON BROOKS, who completed 24 of 41 attempts for 316 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions for a 91.1 passer rating.  He also added 27 yards rushing, helping the Saints end the Rams’ 15-game home winning streak.
• Atlanta running back WARRICK DUNN, who rushed for 117 yards on 20 carries and added two receptions for 20 yards in a 6-3 win against Arizona.
• Philadelphia quarterback DONOVAN MC NABB, who completed 29 of 42 attempts for 356 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions, posting a 110.8 passer rating in a 30-13 win at Detroit.
• Minnesota running back ONTERRIO SMITH, who rushed for 94 yards on 17 carries and added six receptions for 104 yards.
• Green Bay wide receiver JAVON WALKER, who posted 11 receptions for a career-best and NFL 2004 season-high 200 yards receiving, including touchdown catches of 36, 79 and 12 yards against Indianapolis.

Other nominees for NFC Defensive Player of Week 3 were:

• New Orleans defensive end CHARLES GRANT, who had a career-best 3.0 sacks for a loss of 24 yards, totaling four tackles in the victory.
• Philadelphia defensive end JEVON KEARSE, who notched his first 3.0 sacks as a member of the Eagles, resulting in a loss of 14 yards, totaled four tackles and added one forced fumble.
• Atlanta defensive end PATRICK KERNEY, who posted a career-high 3.0 sacks for a loss of 27 yards, adding seven tackles in the win.
• New York defensive end MICHAEL STRAHAN, who had six tackles, 2.0 sacks and two fumble recoveries.
• Minnesota defensive tackle KEVIN WILLIAMS, who had four tackles, 1.0 sack, one pass defensed and one fumble recovery.

Other nominees for NFC Special Teams Player of Week 3 were:

• Philadelphia kicker DAVID AKERS, who connected on three of three field goal attempts (26, 47, 39) and booted three of his seven kickoffs into the end zone.
• New York punter JEFF FEAGLES, who punted four times for an average of 35.0 yards, including all four inside the 20-yard line.