Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan was named the NFC Offensive Player of the Week for week 1 of the NFL season.
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This should come as no surprise to anyone who watched Ryan’s performance against the arch rival New Orleans Saints on Sunday. Ryan threw for a franchise record 448 yards on 31 of 43 passing. He also threw three touchdown passes and was not intercepted in the Falcons’ 37-34 overtime win in the Georgia Dome.
This was the fifth time that Ryan has earned the Offensive Player of the week award, and the first since week 7 of last season.
Julius Thomas took the honors in the AFC with his seven catch, 104 yard performance on Sunday night against the Colts. Three of those catches were for touchdowns in the Broncos 31-24 win.
Here are the rest of the week 1 award winners:
AFC Defensive Player of the Week:
Cameron Wake of the Dolphins takes this award for his three tackle, two sacks, and two forced fumbles in the Dolphins 33-20 win over the New England Patriots.
AFC Special Teams player of the Week:
Dan Carpenter of the Buffalo Bills made all three field goal attempts and both extra points against the Chicago Bears in the 23-20 overtime victory. Carpenter kicked the game winning field goal at Solder Field.
NFC Defensive Player of the Week:
Detroit Lions linebacker DeAndre Levy recorded ten tackles, two for losses, and an interception in the Lions 35-14 rout of the New York Giants.
NFC Special Teams Player of the Week:
Matt Bryant scored an NFC best 13 points on four extra points and three field goals. He hit the game tying field goal from 51 yards out, and the game winner in overtime from 52 yards.