Portis highlights NFL Players of the Month

Oct 30, 2008 - 5:06 PM NEW YORK (Ticker) -- Washington Redskins running back Clinton Portis on Thursday was recognized as NFC Offensive Player of the Month for October.

Houston Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson won the corresponding honor in the AFC.

Carolina Panthers linebacker Jon Beason and Miami Dolphins linebacker Joey Porter were named Defensive Players of the Month for the NFC and AFC, respectively.

St. Louis Rams kicker Josh Brown won NFC Special Teams Players of the Month, and New England Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski took home the AFC honors.

During the month of October, Portis rushed for an NFL-best 575 yards, averaging 143.8 yards per game. His 575 rushing yards were 251 more than any other player in October and he helped the Redskins post a 3-1 record in the month.

Portis rushed for at least 120 yards in all four contests and extended his streak to five consecutive 120-yard games, the second time he has accomplished the feat in his career.

For the season, Portis leads the NFL with 944 rushing yards.

Johnson, the NFL's leader with 56 receptions and 772 receiving yards, finished October with 41 receptions for 593 yards and two touchdowns as Houston posted a 3-1 record for the month.

Johnson's 41 receptions were the second most in NFL history in the month of October, behind only Eric Moulds, who had 42 in 2000.

Beason helped the Panthers post a 3-1 record in October by leading the defense with 37 tackles and two interceptions.

In Week Five against Kansas City, Beason recorded six tackles and an interception as the Panthers shut out the Chiefs, 34-0. The next week against Tampa Bay, Beason had a game-high 15 tackles.

Porter recorded 14 tackles, 5 1/2 sacks, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery in October as Miami posted a 2-2 record.

Porter's 5 1/2 sacks led the NFL for the month, and his 10 1/2 sacks lead the league as he just 3 1/2 away from the Dolphins' single-season record for a linebacker of 14 by Bryan Cox in 1992. He is also on pace to break the season sack record of 22.5, set by Michael Strahan of the New York Giants in 2002.

Brown converted nine of 10 field-goal attempts and all six PATs in October as the Rams posted a 2-1 record. Brown scored 33 points and averaged 11.0 points per game, the most during the month among NFL kickers.

Gostkowski also made 9 of 10 field goals in the month of October and totaled 38 points to lead the Patriots in scoring. In 2008, Gostkowski has made 16 of 17 field goals, including a perfect 10-for-10 from under 40 yards.