Chargers QB Rivers among Players of Month

Dec 31, 2008 - 8:14 PM NEW YORK (Ticker) -- San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers, who authored up a strong finish to lead his team to the AFC West title, was among the Players of the Month for December, the league announced Wednesday.

Also honored in the AFC were Baltimore Ravens safety Ed Reed and Oakland Raiders kick returner Justin Miller.

In the NFC, Carolina Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams won the offensive award. Philadelphia Eagles safety Brian Dawkins and Chicago Bears kicker Robbie Gould were the other honorees.

Rivers led the Chargers to a 4-0 record in December, completing more than 66 percent of his passes for 1,054 yards and NFL-high 11 touchdowns. With Rivers leading the way, the Chargers erased a three-game deficit over the last three weeks to win their third straight division title.

A catalyst for the NFL's second-ranked defense, Reed posted a league-high six interceptions, forced a fumble and had two fumble recoveries, including one for a touchdown.

Miller was a force on special teams, returning a pair of kickoffs for touchdowns. He averaged 27.2 yards per return as Oakland split its four December games.

Williams was one of the main reasons the Panthers won the NFC South title as he rushed for an NFL-best 560 yards and seven touchdowns.

Dawkins led an Eagles defense that allowed the fewest points (40) in December as the Eagles won three of four games to secure a wild card spot. The seven-time Pro Bowler forced two fumbles, both of which returned for touchdowns, during the month.

Gould became the first kicker since David Akers in 2000 to kick game-winning field goals in back-to-back overtime games. He made all eight of his field-goal attempts during the month.