Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger captured the AFC's offensive player of the week award for the second straight time.
Roethlisberger was joined in this week's honor roll by Dolphins cornerback Brent Grimes and Patriots returner Julian Edelman.
After a record-setting performance two weeks ago against Indianapolis in which he threw for 522 yards with six touchdowns, Roethlisberger was at it again this past Sunday in a 43-23 victory over Baltimore. He threw for 340 yards with six more scores and no interceptions against the Ravens.
Roethlisberger became the first player in NFL history with six touchdowns in back-to-back games and joined Hall of Fame quarterback Y.A. Tittle (1962) as the only players to have multiple six-TD games in one season.
In addition, the 11th-year veteran became the first player to win consecutive AFC top offensive player honors since New England's Tom Brady in Weeks 12-13 of the 2010 season.
Grimes became the second straight Miami defensive back to claim the defensive honor, following safety Louis Delmas. Grimes had a pair of interceptions, along with three tackles, in the Dolphins' 37-0 rout of San Diego.
Edelman was recognized as the top special teams player after an 84-yard punt return for a touchdown helped spark New England to a 43-21 victory over Denver. His fourth career punt return for a score was part of a 24-point second quarter and gave the Patriots a 20-7 lead. He also caught a touchdown pass during the period, part of a nine-catch, 89-yard effort.
Other offensive candidates included Brady, who threw for 333 yards with four touchdowns against the Broncos; Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski, who had nine receptions for 105 yards and one score; and Cincinnati running back Jeremy Hill, who ran for 154 yards with two touchdowns in a 33-23 win over Jacksonville.
Defensive consideration went to Pittsburgh linebacker James Harrison, who had seven tackles and two sacks against the Ravens, and Indianapolis linebacker Jonathan Newsome, who notched seven tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble in a 40-24 win over the New York Giants.
Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri was nominated for the special teams award after converting each of his four field goal tries against the Giants.
[SportsNetwork.com]
