The NFL announced today that quarterback Tom Brady of the New England Patriots and running back Adrian Peterson of the Minnesota Vikings are the FedEx Air & Ground NFL Players of the Week for games played on Dec.6-10.
Brady completed 21 of 35 passes for 296 yards and four touchdowns in the Patriots' 42-14 win over the Houston Texans.
Peterson rushed for 154 yards on 31 carries and scored two touchdowns in the Vikings' 21-14 victory over the Chicago Bears.
Brady and Peterson were selected from among six finalists in Air and Ground categories. The other FedEx Air & Ground NFL Players of the Week finalists were quarterbacks Nick Foles of the Philadelphia Eagles and Cam Newton of the Carolina Panthers, and running backs Marshawn Lynch of the Seattle Seahawks and Knowshown Moreno of the Denver Broncos.
Fans voted for more than their favorite players. The weekly FedEx Air & Ground NFL Players of the Week Awards are also a win for local communities. Along with the player awards, FedEx is making a $2,000 donation in each of the winning players' names to the local area offices of Junior Achievement in Boston and Minneapolis. The funding is used to help U.S. small business development, by educating the next generation of entrepreneurs on how to start and grow their own businesses.
During the week leading up to Super Bowl XLVII, FedEx plans to announce the 2012 FedEx Air & Ground NFL Players of the Year in New Orleans, as well as make a $25,000 donation in each winning player's name to Junior Achievement offices in the their city.
As the Official Delivery Service Sponsor of the NFL, Super Bowl and Pro Bowl, FedEx is proud to sponsor the 10th annual Air & Ground NFL Players of the Week program. The Awards highlight superior on-field performance among the league's top-performing quarterbacks and running backs, while supporting small business efforts and providing business solutions that matter to fans and customers alike. Follow FedEx on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter @FedExDelivers.
FEDEX AIR -- QUARTERBACK NOMINEES
Tom Brady, New England Patriots
Brady completed 21 of 35 passes for 296 yards and four touchdowns in a 42-14 win over the Houston Texans.
Nick Foles, Philadelphia Eagles
Foles completed 32 of 51 passes for 381 yards and two touchdowns in the Eagles' 23-21 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers
Newton completed 23 of 35 passes for 287 yards and two touchdowns as the Panthers beat the Atlanta Falcons, 30-20.
FEDEX GROUND -- RUNNING BACK NOMINEES
Marshawn Lynch, Seattle Seahawks
Lynch gained 128 yards on 11 carries and scored three touchdowns as the Seahawks beat the Arizona Cardinals, 58-0.
Knowshon Moreno, Denver Broncos
Moreno tallied 119 yards on 32 carries and scored one touchdown in Broncos' 26-13 win over to the Oakland Raiders.
Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings
Peterson rushed for 154 yards on 31 carries and scored two touchdowns in the Vikings' 21-14 victory over the Chicago Bears.