NEW YORK – Kansas City Chiefs running back Kenneth Walker, Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt and Cincinnati Bengals kicker Evan McPherson are the AFC Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week for games played in Week 1 (September 9-10, 13-14).
OFFENSE: RB KENNETH WALKER, KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
- Walker led the league with 191 scrimmage yards (173 rushing, 18 receiving) in Week 1 and recorded two scrimmage touchdowns (1 rushing, 1 receiving) in Kansas City’s 31-10 win over Denver, becoming one of six running backs in NFL history to record at least 190 scrimmage yards, one rushing and one receiving touchdown in a Week 1 game.
- This is Walker’s second-career Player of the Week award and first with the Chiefs (Week 3, 2023 with Seattle). He is one of seven running backs in franchise history to receive the honor all-time and the first to do so in a season-opening game.
- Walker becomes the fifth former Michigan State player to earn multiple Offensive Player of the Week awards, joining Kirk Cousins (nine-time winner), Le’Veon Bell (three), Andre Rison (two) and Lorenzo White (two).
DEFENSE: LB T.J. WATT, PITTSBURGH STEELERS
- Watt recorded four tackles, three tackles for loss, two sacks and a 35-yard interception return for a touchdown in the Steelers’ 20-13 victory over the Falcons. He is the first player in 20 seasons with multiple sacks and an interception return for a touchdown on Kickoff Weekend (Joey Porter, 2006).
- Watt, who has 117 sacks and 10 interceptions in his career, joined Pro Football of Famer Julius Peppers (159.5 sacks, 11 interceptions) as the only players with at least 100 sacks and at least 10 interceptions since 1982, when the sack became an individual statistic.
- This is Watt’s ninth-career Defensive Player of the Week award, tying Pro Football Hall of Famers Chris Doleman, Bruce Smith and Lawrence Taylor for the most ever.
- 2018: Weeks 1,5
- 2020: Week 2
- 2021: Weeks 6, 13, 17
- 2023: Week 18
- 2024: Week 8
- 2026: Week 1
SPECIAL TEAMS: K EVAN MCPHERSON, CINCINNATI BENGALS
- McPherson converted all four of his field goal attempts – from 20, 55, 58 and 32 yards – and all three of his extra point attempts, totaling 15 points in the Bengals’ 33-27 win over the Buccaneers, the most of any kicker in Week 1. He was the only player to make two field goals of 55-or-more yards in Week 1.
- This is McPherson’s fifth Special Teams Player of the Week award, surpassing Doug Pelfrey for the most by a Bengals kicker.
- 2021: Weeks 1, 11
- 2022: Week 4
- 2025: Week 13
- 2026: Week 1
- McPherson’s five Special Teams Player of the Week awards are the most of any former Florida kicker. He is one of three kickers since 2021 with five Special Teams Player of the Week awards, joining Cameron Dicker (six) and Jake Elliott (five).
