Tom Brady, Julio Jones lead Players of the Month

We're one month in the 2015 season, and we've already seen brilliant performances from the league's best, some from breakout stars and at least one from a previously suspended icon.

Tom Terrific won his eighth AFC Offensive Player of the Month award for his undefeated work in September. He also won last year in October.

In three games under center for the Patriots after avoiding a four-game suspension, the New England quarterback completed 72.2 percent of his passes and threw for a league-leading 1,112 yards wuth a 119.6 passer rating. Brady has tossed nine touchdowns and still hasn't thrown an interception en route to three dominant wins.

In the NFC, Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones produced the stretch of a lifetime. Jones compiled 34 catches for 440 yards and four touchdowns in three wins. If Jones were to keep up that insane pace, he'd finish the season with 181 receptions, 2,346 yards and 21 touchdowns. That's record stuff.

This is the first time Jones has won the Offensive Player of the Month award and is the third Falcons receiver to ever do so (Andre Rison, Roddy White).

Other September winners:

AFC

Defense: LB DeMarcus Ware, Denver Broncos

Through three games, Ware leads Denver -- and is second in the league -- with 3.5 sacks and has been an unstoppable force on the undefeated Broncos' front seven. With Ware leading the way, the Broncos have allowed an average of 16.3 points per game.

Special Teams: K Stephen Gostkowski, New England Patriots

Gostkowski doesn't miss, period. The franchise-tagged Patriots kicker set a record in September with his 425th straight made extra point and was a perfect 7-for-7 from field goal range for the undefeated Patriots.

NFC

Defense: CB Josh Norman, Carolina Panthers

Norman did everything in September for the unbeaten Panthers: he returned a pick-six, forced a fumble, and preserved a division win with a game-clinching interception, making Danish announcers lose their minds in the process.

Special Teams: KR/PR Tyler Lockett, Seattle Seahawks

Talk about a quick start. In his first three games in the NFL, Lockett has returned two kicks for touchdowns, including one in his career debut. It won't be long before he gets the Hester treatement.

Rookies

Offense: QB Marcus Mariota, Tennessee Titans

This former Duck can still fly. In his career debut, Mariota set a record by throwing four touchdowns in the first half alone and finished with a perfect 158.3 passer rating. He ranks eighth in the league in passing yards (833) and is tied for fourth with eight touchdowns.

Defense: CB Ronald Darby, Buffalo Bills

Darby is taking to Rex Ryan's scheme nicely. The former Seminole already has two interceptions through his first three games and 13 total tackles.