Polamalu named AFC Defensive Player of the Week

STEELERS S TROY POLAMALU, BRONCOS WR BRANDON MARSHALL &
TITANS LB KEITH BULLUCK NAMED AFC PLAYERS OF WEEK 2
 
Safety TROY POLAMALU of the Pittsburgh Steelers, wide receiver BRANDON MARSHALL of the Denver Broncos and linebacker KEITH BULLUCK of the Tennessee Titans are the AFC Defensive, Offen and Special Teams Players of the Week for games played the second week of the 2008 season (September 14-15), the NFL announced today.
 
DEFENSE: S TROY POLAMALU, PITTSBURGH STEELERS
·         In a divisional road game against Cleveland, Polamalu recorded his second interception of the season and added four tackles with one tackle for a loss and two passes defensed as the Steelers defeated the Browns 10-6. Polamalu's interception came with eight seconds remaining in the second quarter on Pittsburgh's 3-yard line, ending a potential Cleveland scoring drive as the Steelers took a 7-0 lead into the half. The All-Star safety played a major role in Pittsburgh's pass coverage and run support, which limited the Browns' offense to 208 total yards (155 passing, 53 rushing) as Pittsburgh improved to 2-0.
 
In his sixth year from Southern California, this is Polamalu's third career Player of the Week Award. He previously won the award in 2006 (Week 6). Polamalu is the first Pittsburgh player to win Defensive Player of the Week since Pro Bowl linebackerJAMES HARRISONin 2007 (Week 9).
 
 
OFFENSE: WR BRANDON MARSHALL, DENVER BRONCOS

• In Denver's home opener, Marshall hauled in a franchise-record 18 receptions for 166 yards (9.2 avg.) with one touchdown in the Broncos' 39-38 win against San Diego. Marshall's 18 receptions tied former Los Angeles Rams wide receiver TOM FEARS (18 receptions vs. Green Bay on 12/31/50) for the second most receptions in a single-game in NFL history. Marshall's 18 receptions were two shy of the NFL record set by Dallas Cowboys wide receiver TERRELL OWENS (20 receptions with San Francisco against Chicago on 12/17/00). Marshall leads the NFL through Week 2 with 18 receptions.         
  In his thirdseason from Central Florida, this is Marshall's first career Player of the Week Award. He is the first Denver player to win AFC Offensive Player of the Week since wide receiver ROD SMITH in 2005.
   
  *
  SPECIAL TEAMS: LB KEITH BULLUCK, TENNESSEE TITANS *
  

• With the Bengals at their own one-yard line, Bulluck blocked a KYLE LARSON punt and recovered the loose ball for a touchdown to give the Titans a 24-7 lead with 14:05 remaining in the fourth quarter. The ninth-year linebacker scored the sixth touchdown of his career and was the first Tennessee player to block a punt since CASEY CRAMER (10/15/06 at Washington) and posted the team's first touchdown on a blocked punt since DONALD MITCHELL (10/7/01 at Baltimore). The Titans' defensive captain also notched four tackles on the NFL's second-ranked defense as Tennessee started the season 2-0 for the first time since 1999.  
  In his ninth season from Syracuse, this is Bulluck's second career Player of the Week Award. He previously won AFC Defensive Player of Week in 2007 (Week 3). The last Tennessee position player to win Special Teams Player of the Week was FB CASEY CRAMER in 2006 (Week 6).
   
  2008 AFC PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
   
  

*	*Offense	Defense	Special Teams
Wk 1	RB Willie Parker, Pittsburgh	CB Cortland Finnegan, Tennessee	WR-KR Roscoe Parrish, Buffalo
Wk 2	WR Brandon Marshall, Denver	S Troy Polamalu, Pittsburgh	LB Keith Bulluck, Tennessee

 
 
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*Other nominees for AFC Offensive Player of Week 2 were: *
    Denver quarterbackJAY CUTLER, who completed 36 of 50 passes (72.0 pct.) for 350 yards and tied a career-high with four touchdowns and a 109.6 passer rating.
    Buffalo quarterbackTRENT EDWARDS, who completed 20 of 25 passes (80.0 pct.) for 239 yards with one touchdown and a career-high 119.8 passer rating in a 20-16 win over Jacksonville
    Tennessee rookie running backCHRIS JOHNSON, who totaled 109 rush yards (5.7 avg.) on 19 carries.
    Indianapolis quarterbackPEYTON MANNING, who completed 26 of 42 passes (61.9 pct.) for 311 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions in a 18-15 win against Minnesota.
    Oakland rookie running backDARREN MC FADDEN, who gained a career-high 164 rushing yards (7.8 avg.) on 21 attempts with one touchdown in a 23-8 win over Kansas City.
    Pittsburgh running backWILLIE PARKER, who rushed for 105 yards (3.8 avg.) on 28 carries.
    Pittsburgh quarterbackBEN ROETHLISBERGER, who completed 12 of 19 passes (63.2 pct.) for 186 yards with one touchdown and a 113.0 passer rating.
 
*Other nominees for AFC Defensive Player of Week 2 were: *
    Buffalo cornerbackTERRENCE MC GEE, who totaled a team-high seven tackles and one interception.
    New England defensive backBRANDON MERIWEATHER, who recorded one tackle and one interception in a 19-10 win against the Jets.
    Kansas City safetyBERNARD POLLARD, who had a career-high two fumble recoveries in a 23-8 loss to Oakland.
    Cleveland defensive tackleSHAUN ROGERS, who registered eight tackles and one sack in a 10-6 loss against the Steelers.
    Pittsburgh defensive endAARON SMITH, who recorded four tackles and two sacks.
 
*Other nominees for AFC Special Teams Player of Week 2 were: *
    Kansas City punterDUSTIN COLQUITT, who totaled eight punts for 395 yards (49.4 avg.), including five punts inside the 20-yard line.
    New England kickerSTEPHEN GOSTKOWSKI, who made all four field goals (21, 37, 28, 27).
    Oakland kickerSEBASTIAN JANIKOWSKI, who was successful on all three field goals (56, 25, 40).
    Indianapolis kickerADAM VINATIERI, who made a game-winning 47-yard field goal.
    Cleveland punterDAVE ZASTUDIL*, who registered five punts for 265 yards (53.0 avg.), including two punts inside of the 20-yard line.