New York, NY (SportsNetwork.com) – Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben
Roethlisberger, Miami Dolphins safety Louis Delmas and Kansas City Chiefs
returner Knile Davis were selected as the AFC’s top players for Week 8 of the
NFL season.
Roethlisberger was named the top offensive player after setting franchise
records with 522 passing yards and six touchdowns during the Steelers’ 51-34
win over Indianapolis. He connected on 40-of-49 passes to become the first
player in league history to complete more than 80 percent of his throws in a
500-yard effort.
It’s the 10th weekly award for Roethlisberger, who tied for the fourth-most
passing yards in a single game and is now the only player with two 500-yard
games.
Delmas picked up the defensive award thanks to an 81-yard interception return
for a touchdown and a fumble recovery in Miami’s 27-13 win over Jacksonville.
He is the first NFL player to recover a fumble and return a pick for a score
in the same game since Dallas’ Roy Williams in 2002.
Davis earned the special teams honor with a 99-yard kickoff return for a
touchdown in Kansas City’s 34-7 win over St. Louis. His return opened the
second half and provided the Chiefs with a 17-7 lead. He also ran for 49 yards
with a fourth-quarter touchdown.
Other offensive candidates included New England quarterback Tom Brady, who
would have won the award most weeks after completing 30-of-35 passes for 354
yards with five touchdowns in a 51-23 win over Chicago; Houston running back
Arian Foster, who scored three touchdowns and rushed for 151 yards on just 20
carries in a 30-16 win over Tennessee; and Denver receiver Emmanuel Sanders,
who caught nine passes for 120 yards and three touchdowns in a 35-21 win over
San Diego.
Defensive consideration went to Buffalo linebacker Preston Brown, who had nine
tackles and an interception in a 43-23 win over the New York Jets; and Miami
cornerback Brent Grimes, who also returned an interception for a touchdown.
Dolphins defensive end Olivier Vernon was also nominated for the special teams
award after a blocking a field goal in the win over the Jaguars.
