Schaub, Williams honored by NFL

Dec 10, 2008 - 7:15 PM NEW YORK (Ticker) -- Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub and Carolina Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams were named AFC and NFC Offensive Players of the Week, respectively, on Wednesday.

Baltimore Ravens safety Ed Reed and Arizona Cardinals linebacker Gerald Hayes were named Defensive Players of the Week for their respective conferences.

New Orleans Saints running back-kick returner Pierre Thomas and Miami Dolphins kicker Dan Carpenter were honored as Special Teams Players of the Week.

Schaub returned from a four-game absence and completed 28-of-42 passes for a franchise-record 414 yards with two touchdowns and one interception in a 24-21 win over Green Bay. Schaub led a nine-play, 75 yard drive that set up Kris Brown's game-winning 40-yard field goal.

This is the first career award for Schaub, who has recovered from a torn medial collateral ligament in his left knee.

Williams was also part of a franchise-record effort, as he ran for a career-high 186 yards and two touchdowns in a 38-23 win over Tampa Bay on "Monday Night Football." Williams and rookie Jonathan Stewart combined to run for a franchise-best 299 yards against the league's No. 2 ranked run defense.

The 2004 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, Reed was up to his old tricks in a 24-10 win over Washington last week. The seven-year veteran recorded two interceptions and returned a fumble he forced 22 yards for a touchdown. It is Reed's fourth career weekly award.

Hayes helped the Cardinals clinch their first division title in 33 years on Sunday by registering 12 tackles, 1/2 sack and two forced fumbles in a 34-10 win over St. Louis. The win clinched the NFC West - the Cardinals' first division title since 1975.

Thomas kept the Saints' slim playoff hopes alive by running for 102 yards and setting up his go-ahead touchdown with an 88-yard kickoff return in a 29-25 win over Atlanta.

Carpenter, the AFC Special Teams Player of the Month for November, converted 3-of-4 field goals in a 16-3 win over Buffalo in Toronto.