NFL
BEARS RB MATT FORTÉ, CARDINALS S ADRIAN WILSON &
PACKERS K MASON CROSBY NAMED NFC PLAYERS OF WEEK 1
Running back MATT FORTÉ of the Chicago Bears, safety ADRIAN WILSON of the Arizona Cardinals and kicker MASON CROSBY of the Green Bay Packers are the NFC Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week for games played on NFL Kickoff 2010 Weekend (September 9, 12-13), the NFL announced today.
OFFENSE: RB MATT FORTÉ, CHICAGO BEARS
In Chicago’s 19-14 win over Detroit, Forté totaled 201 scrimmage yards (151 receiving, 50 rushing), becoming the fourth Bear in franchise history with 200 scrimmage yards in a single game (Pro Football Hall of Famers WALTER PAYTON and GALE SAYERS and NEAL ANDERSON).
His 151 receiving yards are the most by a running back in NFL history on Kickoff Weekend and the second-most by a Bears running back all-time (Pro Football Hall of Famer GEORGE MC AFEE, 157 yards, December 7, 1947).
Forté’s 89-yard touchdown reception is the longest touchdown from scrimmage by a running back in franchise history. It is also tied for the longest play from scrimmage by the Bears in Soldier Field history, tying the 89-yard touchdown reception by wide receiver RICKY WATTS from quarterback VINCE EVANS (September 21, 1980).
In his third season from Tulane, this is Forté’s first career Player of the Week Award.
He is the fourth Bears running back to be named Offensive Player of the Week, joining Hall of Famer Payton (three times), Anderson and ANTHONY THOMAS.
DEFENSE: S ADRIAN WILSON, ARIZONA CARDINALS
Wilson recorded two interceptions, a sack and a blocked field goal in the Cardinals’ 17-13 win at St. Louis. His second interception sealed the game as he picked off the Rams’ final pass in the end zone.
He is the first player since JULIUS PEPPERS in 2004 to record an interception, a sack and a blocked field goal in a single game. Wilson is also the first player in franchise history with two interceptions, a sack and a blocked field goal in the same contest.
Wilson has now posted an interception and at least a half-sack in the same game five times in his career. He is one of just 10 players in NFL history with at least 20 interceptions (25) and 20 sacks (21.5).
In his 10th year from North Carolina State, this is Wilson’s fourth career Player of the Week Award and first since Week 7, 2009.
His four career Defensive Player of the Week Awards are the most in franchise history.
SPECIAL TEAMS: K MASON CROSBY, GREEN BAY PACKERS
Crosby had two field goals and three PATs in the Packers’ 27-20 win at Philadelphia.
He converted a 49-yard attempt in the second quarter to tie the game 3-3.
With the Packers leading 10-3, Crosby extended the lead with a franchise-record 56-yard field goal on the final play of the first half. The field goal was the longest in team annals, besting the previous mark of 54 yards held by CHRIS JACKE, RYAN LONGWELL and DAVE RAYNER.
The game marked the first of Crosby’s career with two field goals of at least 49 yards.
In his fourth season from Colorado, this is Crosby’s second career Player of the Week Award (Week 1, 2007).
Crosby joins Longwell (five) and Jacke (two) as the only kickers in team history to be honored multiple times.
2010 NFC PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Other nominees for NFC Offensive Player of Week 1:
- Arizona wide receiver STEVE BREASTON, who had a career-high 132 yards on seven receptions and also made a touchdown-saving play by forcing a fumble at the Arizona four-yard line after a Cardinals turnover.
- New Orleans quarterback DREW BREES, who completed 27 of 36 passes (75.0 percent) for 237 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions for a 101.3 passer rating in the Saints’ 14-9 win over Minnesota.
- Tampa Bay quarterback JOSH FREEMAN, who completed 17 of 28 passes (60.7 percent) for 182 yards with two touchdowns and one interception for a 88.7 passer rating in the Buccaneers’ 17-14 win over Cleveland.
- Seattle quarterback MATT HASSELBECK, who completed 18 of 23 passes (78.3 percent) for 170 yards with two touchdowns and one interception for a 108.3 passer rating in the Seahawks’ 31-6 win over San Francisco.
- New York Giants wide receiver HAKEEM NICKS, who had four catches for 75 yards and three touchdowns in the Giants’ 31-18 win over Carolina.
Other nominees for NFC Defensive Player of Week 1:
- Tampa Bay cornerback RONDE BARBER, who had a 64-yard interception-return to set up a touchdown and three tackles.
- Chicago linebacker LANCE BRIGGS, who had 10 tackles, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
- New Orleans cornerback JABARI GREER, who posted seven tackles and two passes defensed.
- Washington cornerback DE ANGELO HALL, who had eight tackles, two passes defensed, forced a fumble and scored on a 32-yard fumble-return in the Redskins’ 13-7 win over Dallas.
- New York Giants defensive end/linebacker MATHIAS KIWANUKA, who had two sacks, four tackles and a forced fumble.
- Washington safety LA RON LANDRY, who had 17 tackles and a pass defensed.
- Green Bay linebacker CLAY MATTHEWS, who had seven tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble.
- Seattle cornerback MARCUS TRUFANT, who had three passes defensed and returned an interception 32 yards for a touchdown.
- Chicago linebacker BRIAN URLACHER, who had eight tackles, a sack and three tackles for a loss.
- Detroit defensive end KYLE VANDEN BOSCH, who had a team-high 11 tackles in the Lions’ 19-14 loss at Chicago.
Other nominees for NFC Special Teams Player of Week 1:
- Tampa Bay rookie punter CHRIS BRYAN, who punted seven times for 288 yards (41.1 average) with a long of 57 yards and placed two punts inside the 20-yard line.
- Washington kicker GRAHAM GANO, who had two field goals, including a 49-yarder.
- Green Bay kick returner JORDY NELSON, who averaged 31.2 yards per kickoff return, including a long of 51 yards.
- New Orleans kick returner COURTNEY ROBY, who had a team-high two special teams tackles and returned three kicks for 70 yards (23.3 average).
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