Tag: Player of the Week

Duke basketball star Cooper Flagg named one of five USBWA Players of the Week

Cooper Flagg once again made the Oscar Robertson Trophy National Players of the Week list for his excellence against Virginia Tech and SMU.

Duke basketball sensation [autotag]Cooper Flagg[/autotag] continues to stack career accolades in his freshman campaign, and the Blue Devils star made his way onto the list of Oscar Robertson Trophy National Players of the Week again on Tuesday.

Flagg scored 24 points in both of Duke’s games last week, first against Virginia Tech on New Year’s Eve before tallying the same number against SMU on the road this weekend. He dished six assists against the Hokies and pulled down 11 rebounds against the Mustangs, giving him his fifth double-double of the season.

The 18-year-old forward averaged 7.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 2.5 steals, and 1.5 blocks between the two battles, and he put together his most efficient shooting run of the year at 61.5% from the field and 66.7% from behind the 3-point line. Flagg has now scored at least 20 points in five of the Blue Devils’ last seven games.

Flagg also swept the ACC Player of the Week and ACC Rookie of the Week awards for the second time this year, becoming the fifth player (and Blue Devil) to do so.

Jayden Daniels named FedEx Air Player of the Week

More hardware for Jayden Daniels.

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels has been named the FedEx Air Player of the Week for the third time this season. Daniels won the award after his performance against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday when he completed 24 of 39 passes for 258 yards, five touchdowns and two interceptions.

Daniels led the game-winning drive with two minutes left, passing for three touchdowns in the final quarter and ending Philadelphia’s 10-game winning streak.

In the process, Washington improved to 10-5 and is close to clinching its first playoff berth since 2020.

Daniels previously won the award for his Week 4 performance against the Arizona Cardinals and Week 8 performance against the Chicago Bears. It was in Week 8 when Daniels completed the “Hail Mary” to Noah Brown, the NFL’s top play of the 2024 season.

Daniels is the favorite for more hardware this week. Daniels is a finalist for the Pepsi Zero Sugar Rookie of the Week award, which he has already won nine times this season, tying the NFL record set by Ben Roethlisberger in 2004. If Daniels wins the award, he’s the new record-holder.

Broncos returner Marvin Mims wins much-deserved AFC award

Congrats to Broncos receiver/returner Marvin Mims for being named the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week!

Denver Broncos wide receiver and returner Marvin Mims was named the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week after he totaled 97 punt-return yards in a 31-13 win over the Indianapolis Colts in Week 15.

Mims’ 61-yard punt return in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s game set up a go-ahead touchdown for the Broncos, and the team never looked back from there. After Sunday’s win, the receiver deflected praise to his blocking teammates.

“I think the punt returners, we know how good we are and how we’re at the top of the league at it and we have a lot of confidence in that unit,” Mims said. “To be able to get that opportunity, it’s goes good for us almost every time. Those guys are really into it, they clean it up a lot for me to make a play.”

The receiver has made an impact for Denver both on offense and on special teams this year, playing as a receiver, running back and returner.

“I think Marvin has had an unbelievable year,” offensive tackle Mike McGlinchey said. “Especially the second half of this year, we’re using him a lot on offense. He’s been in the backfield, the slot, out wide, and obviously his calling card has always been in the return game.

“He’s been so vital for us not only this year, but last year making the Pro Bowl as a rookie for returning. That gave us a spark tonight and we needed it. Our defense and special teams gave us a lot of help. Marvin had two or three returns that really changed the game.”

This is the second time Mims has won a Special Teams Player of the Week award after he previously took home the honor as a rookie in Week 10 last season.

“I tell him all the time — those plays, those hidden yards, somebody that didn’t watch the game, they’re not going to see that highlight, but anybody that’s tapped into the game and really watches it and wants to understand what’s going on in the game will understand him doing that,” receiver Courtland Sutton said. “Even if it’s 10 yards, it’s such a big momentum change for us.

“Just to see him running with the ball — he’s an exciting guy with the ball in his hands — and watching him go down the sidelines a couple times today, it’s exciting because at any moment you know that he could take it to the crib. It gives us that switch; we were kind of struggling moving the ball consistently and for him to go and get us those hidden yards and for us to be able to capitalize on them is huge.”

Mims, 22, has totaled 902 all-purpose yards and scored two touchdowns so far this season. He’s an underrated part of the team’s success, but this award will help put Mims in the spotlight where he belongs.

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Bryan Bresee recognized as NFC Special Teams Player of the Week

Bryan Bresee was recognized as the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week. He made the play of the day with a blocked field goal, but his whole game was impressive:

Congratulations are in order for Bryan Bresee, who was recognized as the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week. The New Orleans Saints defensive tackle made the play of the day with a blocked field goal, but his whole game was impressive against the New York Giants.

Bresee was credited with a sack, two quarterback hits, a tackle for loss and two pass deflections on the afternoon, on top of his field goal block. That’s a really strong day for an interior lineman.

So good for him. That Bresee capped his afternoon with a game-winning effort on special teams just made his performance that much more exciting.

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Chiefs K Matthew Wright earned AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors after game-winning field goal

Kansas City #Chiefs kicker Matthew Wright earned AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors after game-winning field goal | @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs thrillingly escaped Week 14 with their victory over the Los Angeles Chargers, clinching a ninth straight AFC West division title. Kicker Matthew Wright’s dramatic game-winning field goal and contributions throughout the game sealed the impressive home win.

For his efforts against Los Angeles, Wright earned AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors, an unexpected accomplishment from the Chiefs’ third kicker this season playing above expectations. He is the second Kansas City player to win in the special teams category following Leo Chenal’s Week 10 performance, blocking the potential game-winning field goal against the Denver Broncos.

Wright converted all four field goal attempts, including the game-winning 31-yard field goal, with no time remaining on Sunday Night Football. This is the second-career Special Teams Player of the Week award for Wright, becoming the second Chiefs kicker to win the honor in the past 10 seasons, joining five-time winner Harrison Butker.

Wright becomes the second former UCF kicker to win multiple Special Teams Player of the Week awards, joining 15-time winner Matt Prater. Since replacing injured kicker Spencer Shrader in the lineup, Wright has stepped into clutch scenarios for Kansas City and has delivered, keeping their top AFC record intact.

Chargers CB Tarheeb Still named AFC Defensive Player of the Week

Chargers cornerback Tarheeb Still was recognized for his efforts in the win over the Falcons.

Chargers cornerback Tarheeb Still was recognized for his efforts in the victory over the Falcons, as he was named the Week 13 AFC Defensive Player of the Week.

Still the fifth-round pick out of Maryland, was lights out in coverage. The rookie picked off quarterback Kirk Cousins twice, including one he returned for a 61-yard touchdown.

“I got the award, but it’s a testament to who we are as a team,” Still said on receiving the award, per the team’s editorial director Eric Smith.

According to ESPN’s Seth Walder, Still now has allowed -31 EPA as the nearest defender this season, per NFL Next Gen Stats, which is best among all cornerbacks.

On the season, Still has 36 tackles, eight passes defended and three interceptions.

Broncos kicker Wil Lutz wins weekly award

This was Wil Lutz’s second time winning the award in 2024.

After the Denver Broncos‘ win over the Las Vegas Raiders, kicker Wil Lutz earned another personal accolade of his own.

Lutz was awarded AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors after going 5-for-5 on field goals and 2-for-2 on extra points. Lutz’s 17 points proved the critical difference in the Broncos’ 29-19 win over the Raiders. Lutz made field goals of 33, 38, 45, 53 and 54 yards in the win.

Week 12 was the second time Lutz won AFC Special Teams Player of the Week in 2024. Lutz also won the award after Denver’s Week 3 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

In 2024, Lutz has been exceptional for the Broncos. Lutz has made 24-of-27 field goals (88.9%) and a perfect 26-of-26 on extra points in 2024. After being traded to Denver in 2023, Lutz has been 54-of-61 on field goals and 55-of-57 on extra points.

There are five games left for Lutz to improve on those numbers before the season ends. Up next is a Monday Night Football showdown with the Cleveland Browns in Week 13.

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Taysom Hill just won his second FedEx Air & Ground Player of the Week award

Just one tight end has won the FedEx Air & Ground Player of the Week award in its 22-year history, and Taysom Hill has now done that twice:

The FedEx Air & Ground Player of the Week awards have been a mainstay of NFL honors for 22 years, but just one tight end has earned it. And now he’s done it twice. New Orleans Saints star Taysom Hill won the award for the second time after his huge day against the Cleveland Browns, powering the Saints to a dominant win at home with three touchdown runs.

Denver Broncos rookie quarterback Bo Nix was also recognized with this week’s award after completing 28 of 33 passes for 307 yards and 4 touchdowns in the Broncos’ big win over the Atlanta Falcons.

FedEx has pledged that they “will make a $2,000 donation in Hill’s name to a Historically Black College or University of his choice, which will be applied towards needs-based scholarships to deserving HBCU students.”

Hill set some new personal-bests along the way, too. Hill totaled 138 rushing yards from seven carries and 50 receiving yards off of eight catches. He also completed an 18-yard pass and picked up 42 yards on a kick return, impacting the game on both offense and special teams. It’s not the type of performance you see too often in today’s game.

And it goes to show how special Hill is, and how important his presence is to the Saints’ success. They may not win every game when he sees such a heavy workload, but Hill playing well does tend to correlate with victories. When he’s running with a head full of steam there aren’t many NFL defenses who can slow him down.

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Taysom Hill recognized with his second career Offensive Player of the Week award

Take a bow, Taysom Hill. The Saints’ standout football player was recognized with his second career Offensive Player of the Week award:

Take a bow, Taysom Hill. The New Orleans Saints football player was recognized with his second career NFC Offensive Player of the Week award after making plays as a runner, receiver, and passer against the Cleveland Browns — not counting his impressive kick return for 42 yards.

Take that with his 138 rushing yards, 50 receiving yards, and an 18-yard pass, and Hill amassed 188 yards from scrimmage with 230 all-purpose yards. Each of those totals were personal bests for him, and he had three touchdown runs on the afternoon, too.

This is the third weekly honor for Hill after he was previously named NFC Offensive Player of the Week in 2022 and NFC Special Teams Player of the Week in 2018. Call him a quarterback, fullback, tight end or wide receiver — wherever Hill lines up, he makes plays. That’s what interim head coach Darren Rizzi expressed to FOX Sports sideline reporter Jennifer Hale during Sunday’s win over the Browns.

“Taysom’s an unbelievable football player, usually the more we can use him the better off we are,” Rizzi said on the broadcast, acknowledging Hill’s highlights despite an interception and fumble on the day. “We just gotta do a better job limiting the negative plays, can’t turn the football over. But we’re going to use Taysom as much as we can.”

Hill is averaging a career-high 38.3 rushing yards per game this season on top of 21.4 receiving yards per game, which is also the most for his time in the NFL. Over the summer Klint Kubiak and the Saints coaching staff expressed an eagerness to get more out of Hill than in past seasons, and you’re seeing that pay off. Hill just needs to stay healthy, protect the football, and keep earning recognition for his efforts.

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Bo Nix makes more Broncos history with AFC Offensive Player of the Week nod

Bo Nix is the first rookie quarterback in Broncos history to win AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors.

Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix has been named the AFC Offensive Player of the Week following his impressive performance against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 11, the NFL announced Wednesday.

Nix is the first rookie quarterback in franchise history to win the award, yet another accomplishment added to his growing list of accolades.

Nix went 28-of-33 (84.8%) passing for 307 yards with four touchdowns and no turnovers in a 38-6 win over the Falcons on Sunday. It was a historic performance as Nix became the first rookie QB in NFL history to throw for at least 300 yards and four touchdowns with a completion rate above 80%.

The last Broncos quarterback to win this award was Trevor Siemian in 2016. Denver’s last player to win it was wide receiver Jerry Jeudy in 2022. Nix is the tenth rookie in franchise history to take home the honors.

Earlier this season, Denver kicker Wil Lutz (special teams), cornerback Pat Surtain (defense) and linebacker Cody Barton (defense) received Player of the Week recognition.

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