Indianapolis Colts tight end Dallas Clark, Pittsburgh Steelers safety Tyrone Carter and New England Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski were selected as the AFC's top players for Week 9 of the NFL season.
Clark earned the offensive award after tying a franchise record with 14 receptions for 119 yards in a 20-17 victory over Houston, helping the Colts remain unbeaten at 8-0. He tied Marvin Harrison's team record for catches and tied for the third-best single-game total by an NFL tight end, behind only Kellen Winslow Sr. and Jason Witten, who each had 15.
This marks Clark's first-ever weekly honor and the first for an AFC tight end since Denver's Shannon Sharpe in 2003.
Carter picked off a pair of passes and returned one for a 48-yard touchdown in Pittsburgh's 28-10 win over Denver to nab defensive honors for the week. Starting in place of Ryan Clark, he also recorded a pair of tackles to help the Steelers notch their fifth consecutive win and register his second career weekly award.
Gostkowski booted four field goals to tie a career best in New England's 27-17 win over Miami, claiming his first special teams award.
Others considered for the offensive honor were Cincinnati running back Cedric Benson, who ran for 117 yards with a touchdown against Baltimore; Tennessee running back Chris Johnson, last week's winner, who picked up 135 rushing yards with a pair of touchdowns against San Francisco; and New England wide receiver Randy Moss, who caught six passes for 147 yards with a 71-yard go- ahead touchdown reception against Miami.
Defensive consideration went to San Diego linebacker Shawne Merriman, who recorded three tackles and two sacks against the Giants; and Indianapolis linebacker Clint Session, who compiled a career-high 14 tackles and one interception.
Also nominated for the special teams award was Kansas City punter Dustin Colquitt, who averaged 46.6 yards on seven punts, with four inside the 20-yard line, against Jacksonville.
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