Taylor, Hunter, Nwangwu named AFC Players of the Week

Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor, Houston Texans defensive end Danielle Hunter and New York Jets running back Kene Nwangwu are the AFC Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week for Week 10, the league announced Wednesday.

OFFENSE:

Taylor recorded a career-high and franchise-record 286 scrimmage yards (244 rushing, 42 receiving) and three rushing touchdowns in the Colts’ 31-25 overtime win over Atlanta in Berlin, the most scrimmage yards and most rushing yards ever in an international game. With three rushing touchdowns in Weeks 3, 5, 7 and 10, Taylor is the only player in NFL history to record four games with at least three rushing touchdowns in the first 10 weeks of a season. 

He has the fourth-most Player of the Week awards by a former Wisconsin Badger, trailing quarterback Russell Wilson (11-time winner), linebacker T.J. Watt (eight-time winner) and defensive lineman J.J. Watt (seven-time winner).

DEFENSE: 

Hunter recorded seven tackles, four tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and a forced fumble in Houston’s 36-29 comeback victory over Jacksonville. He’s one of nine players since 2000 to register seven tackles, four tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and a forced fumble in a game.

This is Hunter’s third Defensive Player of the Week award and his first with Houston (Week 9, 2018 and Week 14, 2019 with Minnesota).

Hunter becomes the second LSU player to win AFC Defensive Player of the Week this season (New England’s K’Lavon Chaisson, Week 7) and he ties linebacker Deion Jones, cornerback Patrick Peterson and linebacker Devin White for the most Defensive Player of the Week awards by a former LSU player (three).

SPECIAL TEAMS: 

Nwangwu had a 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the Jets’ 27-20 win over Cleveland and became the fourth player in NFL history with a kickoff return touchdown in four of his first five seasons, joining Josh Cribbs (five seasons), Percy Harvin (four) and Pro Football Hall of Famer Bobby Mitchell. Nwangwu is the sixth player in NFL history with five career kick return touchdowns of at least 95 yards, joining Cordarrelle Patterson (eight), Josh Cribbs (five), Dante Hall (five), Leon Washington (five) and Abe Woodson (five).

He has the most Player of the Week Awards by a former Iowa State player, surpassing Marcus Robertson (three).