NEW YORK, Jan. 9 (UPI) -- New York Jets kicker John Hall and Baltimore Ravens linebacker Peter Boulware, who played pivotal roles in putting their respective teams in the playoffs, were among the NFL Players of the Week announced Wednesday.
Hall was named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week after kicking a game-winning 53-yard field goal with 59 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter in the Jets' 24-22 win over
Oakland on Sunday.
Hall's kick was his longest of the season and clinched the Jets' first playoff berth since 1998.
A day later, Boulware had seven tackles, four sacks and forced a fumble in the Ravens' 19-3 win over Minnesota, earning him AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors. The victory clinched a wild card playoff berth for the defending Super Bowl champions.
Offensive honors in the AFC went to running back Lamar Smith of the Miami Dolphins. Smith had 30 carries for 158 yards and one touchdown in the Dolphins' 34-7 win over Buffalo.
Running back Marshall Faulk of the St. Louis Rams, rookie defensive end Andre Carter of the San Francisco 49ers and kick returner Dorsey Levens of the Green Bay Packers were the Players of the Week in the NFC.
Faulk totaled 226 yards from scrimmage -- 168 rushing and 58 receiving -- and scored a touchdown in the Rams' 31-13 win over Atlanta.
Carter had six tackles, including five for losses with two sacks, and forced a fumble in the 49ers' 38-0 win over New Orleans.
Levens had 138 yards on four kickoff returns in Green Bay's 34-25 win over the New York Giants. His 53-yard return to start the second half led to a touchdown that gave the Packers a 24-10 lead.
