New York, NY– The NFC delivered spectacular performances in Week 1, with three players earning Player of the Week honors for their game-changing contributions across offense, defense, and special teams.
J.J. McCarthy: Making History in His Debut
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy continued his remarkable story, earning NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors after a historic NFL debut against the Chicago Bears. The rookie signal-caller recorded three touchdowns (two passing, one rushing) while orchestrating an 11-point fourth-quarter comeback in a thrilling 27-24 victory.
Breaking Records from Day One
McCarthy’s performance was nothing short of legendary. He became the first starting quarterback to overcome a 10-point deficit in the fourth quarter of their NFL debut since Hall of Famer Steve Young accomplished the feat in Week 12, 1985. Additionally, he’s the first player since Cam Newton in 2011 to record at least two touchdown passes and a rushing touchdown in his NFL debut.
Elite Company
The Michigan product joins Tom Brady as the only former Wolverines quarterbacks to win Player of the Week honors in the past 15 seasons (2011-25). He also becomes the third Vikings quarterback to earn the honor in Week 1, following Daunte Culpepper (2004) and Sam Bradford (2017).
NFL News:
- J.J. McCarthy Makes Historic Debut: Vikings Quarterback Earns NFC Offensive Player of the Week
- AFC Week 1 Players of the Week: Allen, Oluokun, and Boswell Dominate Opening Weekend
- FedEx Air & Ground NFL Awards Expands Impact with Feeding America Partnership
Nate Landman: Defensive Dominance
Los Angeles Rams linebacker Nate Landman showcased why defense wins championships, recording 10 tackles and a crucial forced fumble in the Rams’ 14-9 victory over Houston. His game-changing forced fumble came in the fourth quarter with 1:51 remaining as the Texans entered the red zone, preserving the victory.
First-Time Winner
This marks Landman’s first career Defensive Player of the Week award, making him the fourth Ram to win the honor in Week 1, joining Robert Quinn (2013), Aaron Donald (2015), and Trumaine Johnson (2017). The Colorado product also becomes the first former Buffalo to win Defensive Player of the Week since Chad Brown in Week 17, 2003.
Kameron Johnson: Special Teams Excellence
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Kameron Johnson made his mark on special teams with a spectacular 54-yard punt return in the third quarter of Tampa Bay’s 23-20 victory at Atlanta. The return was the longest punt return in the NFL during Week 1.
Making History
Johnson’s first Player of the Week award makes him just the second Buccaneers player to win Special Teams Player of the Week in Week 1, joining Bradley Pinion (2021). More remarkably, he becomes the first player from Barton College to ever win a Player of the Week award, putting his small school on the NFL map.
The Bigger Picture
These three performances exemplify what makes Week 1 special – rookies making history, veterans stepping up in crucial moments, and unexpected heroes emerging from unlikely places. Each player demonstrated the kind of excellence that defines championship-caliber football.
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