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The NFL named Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes as the AFC Offensive Player of the Week on Wednesday.
Mahomes — playing in only his second NFL game, and his first as the team’s starter — threw for 256 yards with four touchdowns, and also gained 21 yards on the ground in four carries during the Chiefs 38-28 win over the Los Angeles Chargers. Mahomes’ passer rating of 127.5 was fourth best in the league — and tops in the AFC — in Week 1.
This seems like an excellent reason to look at one of Mahomes’ touchdown passes from the game, don’t you think?
Mahomes actually stepped INTO the pass rusher's lane to complete the #SausagePatty TD. Just unreal. #Chiefs pic.twitter.com/fMmTFnfYph
— Clay Wendler (@ClayWendler) September 11, 2018
The league named Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt — yes, the brother of Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt — as AFC Defensive Player of the Week. The nod for Special Teams Player of the Week in the AFC went to Jakeem Grant of the Miami Dolphins, who returned two kicks for touchdowns during Miami’s defeat of the Tennessee Titans.
In the NFC, the NFL named Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick as the Offensive Player of the Week. Fitzpatrick — who was definitely not playing in his second career NFL game — also threw four touchdowns passes as the Bucs defeated the New Orleans Saints. The NFC’s Defensive Player of the Week is Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith, and the Special Teams Player of the Week is Los Angeles Rams kicker Greg Zuerlein.