Bears QB fields, Bengals RB Mixon, Ravens LB Houston lead NFL players of the week, Computer makes postseason projections, former NFL player linked to winning Powerball ticket, and more football news.
NFL names players of the week
Offensive players of the week
The NFC offensive player of the week is Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields who made history, not for passing but, for rushing for 178 yards – the most rushing yardage by a quarterback in a regular-season game, topping the previous record of 173 set by Michael Vick in 2002. Fields scored a total of three touchdowns – rushing for one and throwing for three, completing 17 of 28 passes for 123 yards, with no interceptions. Despite his efforts, the bears lost to the Miami Dolphins 35-32, NBC Sports reported.
Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon was named AFC player of the week as he set a franchise record of five touchdowns, scoring four on rushing, and another receiving – one shy of the all-time NFL record of six. He rushed for 211 yards in the Bengal's 42-21 win over the Panthers and ran for 58 receiving yards. Mixon became only the sixth player in the Super Bowl era to total 200 scrimmage yards and five TDs in a single game, CBSSports reported.
Defensive players of the week
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Justin Houston was named the AFC defensive player of the week following his stellar defensive showing on Monday night in a win over the New Orleans Saints. Houston made three tackles, 2.5 sacks, with two tackles for loss, as well as a game-ceiling interception.
The NFC defensive player of the week was Detroit Lions third-round rookie defensive back Kerby Joseph who made 10 tackles, broke up three passes and snagged two interceptions off two-time MVP Aaron Rodgers in an upset over the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, NFL.com reported.
Special teams players of the week
Los Angeles Chargers kicker Cameron Dicker made good on two field goals and two extra points and was noted for kicking a 37-yard game-winning, walk-off field goal Sunday.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie punter Jake Camarda played a pivotal role in the team's victory over the Rams on Sunday, noted for his franchise-tying 74-yard punt, as well as putting four of his six punts inside the 20-yard line, averaging 54.2 net yards per boot.
Computer makes postseason projections
CBSSports released projections based on data from Stephen Oh of SportsLine.com. Skipping all the details and particulars, the bottom line the computer arrived at for the post-season is:
AFC
(7) Chargers at (2) Chiefs
(6) Patriots at (3) Ravens
(5) Dolphins at (4) Titans
Bye: Bills (1)
NFC
(7) 49ers at (2) Vikings
(6) Giants at (3) Seahawks
(5) Cowboys at (4) Buccaneers
Bye: Eagles (1)
Former NFL player Domata Peko linked to winning Powerball ticket
The single winning ticket in the historic $2.04 billion Powerball lottery was sold at Joe’s Service Center, in Altadena, California, by owner Joe Chahayed, who migrated to the US from Syria in 1980 CNN reported. Incidentally, he is also the father-in-law of former NFL star Domata Peko, who played most of his career as nose tackle for the Cincinnati Bengals, TMZ reported. California lottery awarded Chahayed $1 million for his role in selling the ticket.
"Congratulations Baba Chahayed!!! Alexa, play A Mili by (Lil Wayne)," Peko wrote on Twitter. "Blessed."