Quarterback BRETT FAVRE of the Green Bay Packers, defensive end JULIUS PEPPERS of the Carolina Panthers, and return specialist EDDIE DRUMMOND of the Detroit Lions are the NFC Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Month for November, the NFL announced Thursday.
OFFENSE: QB BRETT FAVRE, GREEN BAY PACKERS
Favre has led the Packers to six consecutive wins, including a perfect 3-0 November, as Green Bay has grabbed a share of first place in the NFC North at 7-4. The Kiln, MS native began the month by completing 20 of 29 attempts for 236 yards and four touchdowns, posting a 133.0 passer rating in a key 34-31 win over the Vikings on November 14. The following week at Houston, Favre sparked a 10-point fourth-quarter comeback, leading three scoring drives in the quarter for a 16-13 win. Favre ended the month in fine fashion last Monday night. On the historic occasion of his 200th consecutive start, the most in NFL history by a quarterback, he threw three touchdown passes and no interceptions in a 45-17 win over St. Louis. Favre had a 108.0 rating in November, completing 67 percent of his passes (71 of 106) for 834 yards, eight touchdowns and two interceptions. Favre also tossed his 22nd touchdown pass of the season, his 11th consecutive 20-touchdown pass campaign, breaking a tie with DAN MARINO for the most all-time.
In his 14th season from Southern Mississippi, this is Favre's fifth career Player of the Month Award.
DEFENSE: DE JULIUS PEPPERS, CAROLINA PANTHERS
Peppers was a dominant presence along the Panthers defensive line in November, helping the club to a 3-1 month, including wins in their last three games. Peppers led the NFL with 7.0 sacks in November, adding 23 tackles and seven quarterback hurries. In a 21-14 win over Tampa Bay last week, he scored on a 46-yard interception return touchdown, blocked a field goal and added four tackles including 1.0 sack. Peppers began a streak of three consecutive games with multiple sacks on November 7 against the Oakland Raiders, becoming only the second player to accomplish the feat in 2004, joining Atlanta defensive end PATRICK KERNEY. His constant presence in the opponents' offensive backfield has helped the Panthers surrender just three touchdowns in their last 10 quarters.
In his third season from North Carolina, this is Pepper's first Player of the Month Award.
SPECIAL TEAMS: KR/PR EDDIE DRUMMOND, DETROIT LIONS
Drummond has established himself as one of the NFL's premier return specialists, developing into a scoring threat each time he touches the ball. In four November games, he scored three return touchdowns, finding the end zone twice on punt returns and once on a kickoff return, averaging 15.5 yards per punt return and 27.3 per kickoff return in November. On November 14 against Jacksonville, he became the first player in NFL history with two fourth-quarter punt return touchdowns (55, 83) in a single game, helping force overtime in a game the Lions would eventually lose 22-19. The next week against Minnesota, he returned the opening kickoff 92 yards for a score, joining DANTE HALL (2003) as the only players in NFL history with two punt and two kickoff return touchdowns in the same season.
In his third year from Penn State, this Drummond's second Player of the Month Award of the season. He was also honored in September.
2004 NFC PLAYERS OF THE MONTH
September
QB Donovan McNabb, Philadelphia
DE Patrick Kerney, Atlanta
KR Eddie Drummond, Detroit
October
QB Daunte Culpepper, Minnesota
CB Lito Sheppard, Philadelphia
K Ryan Longwell, Green Bay
November
QB Brett Favre, Green Bay
DE Julius Peppers, Carolina
KR Eddie Drummond, Detroit
