NFL: Irving, Williams and Mann Named NFC Players of the Week

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 By Nancy Beecher, Florida Sport Wire

NEW YORK — Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving, Seattle Seahawks defensive end Leonard Wiliams and Philadelphia Eagles punter Braden Mann are the NFC Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week for Week 13 (November 28-29, December 1-2).

OFFENSE: RB BUCKY IRVING, TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

Irving registered a career-high 185 scrimmage yards (152 rushing, 33 receiving) – the most in a game by a rookie this season – and a rushing touchdown in Tampa Bay’s 26-23 overtime win at Carolina. His 152 rushing yards were the most in the NFL in Week 13 and he became the first Buccaneers rookie to record 180-or-more scrimmage yards in a game since Mike Evans (Week 11 of the 2014 season).

This is the first-career Offensive Player of the Week Award for Irving, becoming the third Buccaneers running back ever to earn the honor as a rookie, joining Warrick Dunn (Week 2, 1997) and Doug Martin (Week 9, 2012).

Irving becomes the first former Oregon rookie running back and third former Oregon running back all-time to win Offensive Player of the Week, joining Jonathan Stewart (twice) and LeGarrette Blount.

DEFENSE: DE LEONARD WILLIAMS, SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

Williams recorded two sacks, a 92-yard interception-return for a touchdown and blocked an extra point attempt in the Seahawks’ 26-21 win at the New York Jets. He became the first player with multiple sacks, an interception-return touchdown and a blocked kick in the same game since 1982, when the individual sack became an official statistic.

This is the third-career Defensive Player of the Week award for Williams and first with Seattle, becoming the first Seahawks defensive lineman in the past five seasons (2020-24) to win Defensive Player of the Week.

2020: Weeks 13, 17 (Giants)

2024: Week 13 (Seahawks)

Williams joins Mark Carrier (Bears & Lions), Ronnie Lott (Raiders & 49ers), Clay Matthews (Browns & Packers) and Tim McDonald (Cardinals & 49ers) as the only former University of Southern California players to earn Defensive Player of the Week with multiple franchises.

SPECIAL TEAMS: P BRADEN MANN, PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

Mann punted six times in Philadelphia’s 24-19 victory at Baltimore, five of which landed inside the 20-yard line, two inside the 10-yard line and one inside the five. Mann was the only punter in the NFL with five punts inside of the 20-yard line in Week 13.

This is the second-career Special Teams Player of the Week award for Mann and first with Philadelphia, becoming the third Eagles punter to win Special Teams Player of the Week and first since Donnie Jones (2013).

2022: Week 2 (Jets)

2024: Week 13 (Eagles)

Mann joins Shane Lechler (four-time winner) as the only former Texas A&M punters to win Special Teams Player of the Week multiple times. 

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