The NFL announced that quarterback Peyton Manning of the Denver Broncos and running back Alfred Morris of the Washington Redskins are the FedEx Air & Ground NFL Players of the Week for games played on Dec. 30.
Manning completed 23 of 29 passes for 304 yards and three touchdowns as the Broncos beat the Kansas City Chiefs, 38-3.
Morris rushed for 200 yards on 33 carries and scored three touchdowns in a 28-18 win over the Dallas Cowboys.
Manning and Morris were selected from among six finalists in Air and Ground categories. The other FedEx Air & Ground NFL Players of the Week finalists were quarterbacks Eli Manning of the New York Giants and Christian Ponder of the Minnesota Vikings, and running backs Adrian Peterson of the Minnesota Vikings and DeAngelo Williams of the Carolina Panthers.
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 Denver and Washington D.C.. 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.
Making the right plays on the field takes talent, perseverance, focus and a whole lot of hard work. These six air and ground players really delivered this week and now it's time for the fans to make the call as to the two who will be this week's FedEx Air & Ground NFL Players of the Week. At FedEx, we know the same skills that made these players successful on the football field are what delivers success in every field. Take a minute to deliver your vote for the players and the business you think had the best plays this week.
FEDEX AIR -- QUARTERBACK NOMINEES
Eli Manning, New York Giants
Manning completed 13 of 21 passes for 208 yards and five touchdowns in the Giants' 42-7 win over the Philadelphia Eagles.
Peyton Manning, Denver Broncos
Manning completed 23 of 29 passes for 304 yards and three touchdowns as the Broncos beat the Kansas City Chiefs, 38-3.
Christian Ponder, Minnesota Vikings
Ponder completed 16 of 28 passes for 234 yards and three touchdowns in the Vikings' 37-34 victory over the Green Bay Packers.
FEDEX GROUND -- RUNNING BACK NOMINEES
Alfred Morris, Washington Redskins
Morris rushed for 200 yards on 33 carries and scored three touchdowns in a 28-18 win over the Dallas Cowboys.
Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings
Peterson tallied 199 yards on 34 carries and one touchdown in the Vikings' 37-34 win against the Green Bay Packers.
DeAngelo Williams, Carolina Panthers
Williams gained 210 yards on 21 carries and scored two touchdowns in the Panthers' 44-38 victory over the New Orleans Saints.