Mariota, Elliott lead list of Player of the Week winners
AFC
Marcus Mariota led the Tennessee Titans on a 47-point outburst against the Green Bay Packers and thus was named the AFC's Offensive Player of the Week. The sophomore finished the game with a 149.8 passer rating after throwing for 295 yards and four touchdowns in the victory.
Eric Berry of the Kansas City Chiefs is the AFC's Defensive Player of the Week after the safety led a turnaround that allowed the Chiefs to win their fifth consecutive game. Berry led the team with nine tackles, but also scored KC's only touchdown of the day when he returned an interception 42 yards for a score.
Denver Broncos safety Justin Simmons provided what was likely the play of the day when he blocked the New Orleans Saints' game-winning extra-point attempt and a teammate returned it for the deciding two-point conversion. Simmons leaped clear across the Saints' linemen to make the block, earning the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week award in the process.
NFC
Ezekiel Elliott's sparkling performance against the Pittsburgh Steelers has earned the rookie NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors. The Dallas Cowboys running back ran for 114 yards and two touchdowns and added 95 receiving yards and a touchdown reception in the Cowboys' thrilling 35-30 win Sunday. Elliott took a screen pass 83 yards for Dallas' first touchdown of the day, and scored on two late runs in the fourth quarter, including the game-winning score with nine seconds left in the game.
Seattle Seahawks safety Kam Chancellor earned the NFC Defensive Player of the Week award for his vital contributions in the team's 31-24 win over the New England Patriots on Sunday night. Chancellor had eight tackles and a forced fumble in the game, but his most important play was his coverage of tight end Rob Gronkowski on the final play of the game, an end zone fade that fell incomplete despite questionable contact by both players.
Johnny Hekker was instrumental in the Los Angeles Rams' 9-6 win over the New York Jets on Sunday. The punter was given the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week award after he averaged 50.3 yards on seven punts in the game. He pinned the Jets deep with a 78-yard punt in the fourth quarter. New York went three-and-out in the following series and the Rams scored the game-winning field goal on their next drive.