Manning headlines NFL Player of the Week winners

Oct 15, 2008 - 9:42 PM NEW YORK (Ticker) -- Peyton Manning finally put together a vintage performance this weekend after a slow start to the season. On Wednesday, the Indianapolis Colts quarterback was recognized for his efforts.

Manning was honored as the AFC Offensive Player of the Week for Week Six while New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees received the NFC's award after yet another 300-yard performance.

Cleveland Browns cornerback Eric Wright and Houston Texans kick returner Jacoby Jones were honored on defense and special teams, respectively, for the AFC. In the NFC, St. Louis Rams safety Oshiomogho Atogwe was named the Defensive Player of the Week while Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Sean Morey claimed special-teams honors.

Manning, who underwent two knee surgeries this offseason that kept him out of all preseason action, struggled often through the first four weeks of the regular season before enjoying a breakout game Sunday. He completed 19-of-28 passes for 271 yards and three touchdowns as the Colts posted a 31-3 blowout over the Baltimore Ravens.

Manning registered a season-high 134.7 quarterback rating and did not turn the ball over for the first time since Week One - and did it all against the league's top-ranked defense. It is the 17th time Manning has won a Player of the Week honor.

A two-time Pro Bowler, Brees posted his fifth 300-yard performance in six games this season as he led the Saints to a 34-3 rout of the Oakland Raiders. Brees completed his first 16 passes and finished 26-of-30 for 320 yards and three touchdowns.

The 29-year-old Brees leads the league in passing yards and completions and is second in passer rating and completion percentage to lead the second-ranked offense in the NFL.

Wright, a second-year cornerback, helped the Browns make Monday night miserable for New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning. Wright knocked down three passes and put the game away late in the fourth quarter as he intercepted a pass and took it back 94 yards for a touchdown to cap Cleveland's 35-14 upset of the defending Super Bowl champs.

Jones helped the Texans earn their first victory of the season, returning a punt 70 yards for a score in the second quarter as Houston erased an early deficit to defeat the Miami Dolphins, 29-28.

Atogwe helped the Rams upset the Washington Redskins, 19-17, for their first win of the year. In the closing seconds of the first half, he returned a fumble 75 yards for the go-ahead touchdown.

Morey blocked a punt in overtime that was returned for a game-winning touchdown as the Cardinals finished off a 30-24 upset of the Dallas Cowboys. He also tied a career high with four special-teams tackles.