Rivers among top AFC players in December

NEW YORK, Jan. 3 (UPI) -- San Diego quarterback Phillip Rivers was the AFC offensive player of the month in December after leading the Chargers to a 4-0 record and a playoff berth.

In the final month of the regular season, the five-year veteran from North Carolina State completed 80-of-121 passes (66.1 percent) for 1,054 yards with an NFL-high 11 touchdowns, one interception and a 120.3 passer rating.

In the Chargers' pivotal 52-21 rout of Denver, he threw two touchdown passes, the fourth time he accomplished the feat in December, to help San Diego qualify for the AFC's last playoff opening.

He was joined by Baltimore safety Ed Reed (defense) and Oakland kick returner Justin Miller (special teams) for the league's monthly conference honors.

Reed made two interceptions in three of four games to finish the 2008 regular season with a league-high nine picks.

Miller totaled 20 kick returns for 544 yards (27.2 average), including a league-high two for touchdowns, helping the Raiders post a 2-2 December record.