Quarterback BRETT FAVRE of the Green Bay Packers, linebacker SCOTT FUJITA of the New Orleans Saints and kicker JOHN KASAY of the Carolina Panthers are the NFC Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week for games played the third week of the 2006 season (September 24-25), the NFL announced Wednesday.
OFFENSE: QB BRETT FAVRE, GREEN BAY PACKERS
-It was a milestone afternoon for Favre, who led the Green Bay Packers to a 31-24 road win over the NFC North-rival Detroit Lions at Ford Field. With no score in the first quarter, Favre connected on a 75-yard touchdown pass to rookie GREG JENNINGS, the 400th touchdown pass of his illustrious career, joining DAN MARINO (420) as the only players in NFL history to accomplish the feat. It was the 10th career touchdown pass of at least 75 yards for Favre, tying five other players for the most all-time. On the day, he completed 25 of 36 attempts for 340 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions, posting a Week 3-high 127.1 passer rating. With the Packers clinging to a 24-21 fourth-quarter advantage, Favre connected with running back AHMAN GREEN on his third touchdown pass of the day, a 10-yarder for the club's final score. The win was the first for the club's first-year head coach MIKE MC CARTHY.
In his 16th season from Southern Mississippi, this is Favre's 10th career Player of the Week Award and first since Week 10 of 2004
DEFENSE: LB SCOTT FUJITA, NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
-On what was certainly one of the most memorable nights in the history of the New Orleans Saints franchise, Fujita helped make sure it was a winning one as well, playing a major role in the 23-3 win over the Atlanta Falcons on the night the Superdome was reopened. Fujita posted eight tackles, 1.0 sack and one forced fumble in the win. His sack and forced fumble came on the opening series of the game, forcing a fourth-and-10 punt that was blocked by teammate STEVE GLEASON and recovered by the Saints for a touchdown and 7-0 advantage. Fujita, who joined the club as a free agent after spending 2005 in Dallas, was instrumental in holding the Atlanta ground game in check, as the Falcons - who entered Monday night averaging 279 rushing yards per game - were held to 117 rushing yards.
In his fifth season from California, this is Fujita's first career Player of the Week Award.
SPECIAL TEAMS: K JOHN KASAY, CAROLINA PANTHERS
-Kasay was a pivotal factor in the Panthers earning their first win of the season, a 26-24 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. The veteran kicker connected on four of four field goal attempts, becoming the first player in NFL history to hit four field goals from 46 yards and beyond in the same game. After a 51-yard kick in the first quarter, a 50-yarder in the second and a 49-yard effort in the third, Kasay connected on his most important kick of the day, a game-winning 46-yard field goal with two seconds remaining to lift the Panthers to victory.
In his 16th season from Georgia, this is Kasay's sixth career Player of the Week Award.
2006 NFC PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Week 1
QB Kurt Warner, Arizona
DE John Abraham, Atlanta
K Jeff Wilkins, St. Louis
Week 2
QB Eli Manning, NY Giants
DT Tommie Harris, Chicago
K Ryan Longwell, Minnesota
Week 3
QB Brett Favre, Green Bay
LB Scott Fujita, New Orleans
K John Kasay, Carolina
Other nominees for NFC Offensive Player of Week 3 were:
-Washington quarterback MARK BRUNELL, who had an NFL single-game record 22 consecutive completions, leading the Redskins to a 31-15 win at Houston. Brunell finished 24 of 27 for 261 yards and one touchdown, posting a 119.3 passer rating.
-Seattle quarterback MATT HASSELBECK, who completed 24 of 33 attempts for 227 yards and five touchdown passes, helping Seattle to a 35-3 halftime lead in a 42-30 triumph over the Giants.
-Philadelphia running back BRIAN WESTBROOK, who posted 164 yards of total offense in a 38-24 win at San Francisco with a career high-tying three touchdowns. He scored on rushes of 71 and eight yards and added a four-yard touchdown reception. He rushed for 117 yards and totaled four catches for 47 yards.
Other nominees for NFC Defensive Player of Week 3 were:
-Green Bay safety NICK COLLINS, who made seven tackles and broke up three passes, including the final play of the game in the Packers' end zone.
-Seattle safety KEN HAMLIN, who returned two interceptions for a total of 63 yards, with each pick leading to first-quarter touchdowns. He also added four tackles.
-Chicago defensive tackle TOMMIE HARRIS, who forced a fumble that led to the game-winning touchdown in 19-16 win at Minnesota. Harris also added two tackles and 1.0 sack on the day
-Minnesota cornerback ANTOINE WINFIELD, who returned an interception seven yards for a touchdown and added 10 tackles against Chicago.
Other nominees for NFC Special Teams Player of Week 3 were:
-Washington punter DERRICK FROST, who averaged 56 yards on two punts with a long punt of 60 yards.
-New Orleans special teamer STEVE GLEASON, who blocked a punt on the opening possession of the game which was recovered in the end zone for a touchdown, setting the tone for the Saints in their Monday night win versus Atlanta.
-Chicago kicker ROBBIE GOULD, who connected on four of four field goal attempts from 41, 24, 31 and 49 yards in the Bears win.
