There were plenty of outstanding performances in Week 5, including a veteran quarterback returning with a vengeance and a second-year back running roughshod to lead their teams to victories -- and earning NFL Player of the Week honors in the process.
Tom Brady was named the AFC Offensive Player of the Week, the NFL announced Wednesday. The Patriots quarterback passed for 406 yards and three touchdowns in his season debut as New England routed the Cleveland Browns 33-13. After missing the first four games of the season due to suspension, the four-time Super Bowl champion returned to the field and didn't seem to miss a beat.
David Johnson earned NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors. The Cardinals running back rushed for 157 yards and two touchdowns in helping Arizona defeat the San Francisco 49ers 33-21 on Thursday. The second-year player out of Northern Iowa also added three receptions for 28 yards in propelling the Cards out of the NFC West cellar.
The AFC Defensive Player of the Week was Bills cornerback Nickell Robey-Coleman. Robey-Coleman led Buffalo's defense in a 30-19 victory over the Rams in Los Angeles. The former USC Trojan made a triumphant return to the Coliseum, picking off Rams quarterback Case Keenum twice -- including taking one back 41 yards for the score.
Adam Vinatieri took home AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors. The veteran kicker booted five field goals in Indianapolis' 29-23 victory over Chicago, including successful kicks of 53 and 54 yards. Vinatieri is now a perfect 13 for 13 on field goals and 12 for 12 on extra points this season.
Lions cornerback Darius Slay was named the NFC Defensive Player of the Week. In crunch time of a close game against the previously undefeated Eagles, "Big Play" Slay showed why he's earned that moniker, forcing a fumble and picking off quarterback Carson Wentz (the rookie's first interception) to seal the Lions' 24-23 win.
"That's my nickhame, Big Play Slay. So I try to make every play I do, make it big," Slay said after the game, according to Mlive.com.
Redskins return man Jamison Crowder was the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week. Crowder scored on an electifrying 85-yard punt return to jumpstart the Redskins to a 16-10 victory in Baltimore.