New York, NY (My Sportsbook) - Quarterback Marc Bulger of the
St. Louis Rams, along with defensive end Darren Howard and kick returner Michael Lewis of the
New Orleans Saints were named NFC Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week for games played the sixth week of the 2002 season.
Lewis became the seventh player in NFL history and first since Eddie Payton to have both kick return and punt return touchdowns in the same contest. Payton accomplished the feat on December 12, 1977.
During a 43-27 win at Washington, Lewis returned a kickoff 90 yards for a TD and returned a punt 83 yards for a score. Lewis had 70 yards receiving against the Redskins, while recording 356 combined net yards.
Howard led the New Orleans defense with a career-high three sacks, four tackles and a pass defensed. Howard's QB sacks led to minus-24 yards for the Washington offense.
The double winners were the first for the Saints since Week Seven last season when Sammy Knight and John Carney won awards.
Rams third-string quarterback Bulger was impressive in St. Louis' first win of the season on Sunday, a 28-13 victory over previously unbeaten Oakland. The sixth-round draft pick out of Virginia threw three touchdown passes and ran for another score in his first NFL game. Bulger completed 14-of-21 passes for 186 yards without throwing an interception.
Other nominees for the Offensive Player of the Week were running back Mike Alstott of Tampa Bay, quarterback Daunte Culpepper of Minnesota, running back Marshall Faulk of St. Louis, quarterback Jeff Garcia of San Francisco, running back Ahman Green of Green Bay, quarterback Doug Johnson of Atlanta and running back Deuce McCallister of New Orleans.
Meanwhile, safety Jay Bellamy of the Saints, cornerback Corey Chavous of the Vikings, linebacker John Holecek of the Falcons, defensive end Julius Peppers of the Panthers, cornerback Ahmed Plummer of the 49ers and defensive tackle Warren Sapp of the Buccaneers were also considered for NFC Defensive Player of the Week.
Nominees for Special Teams Player of the Week were Seattle punt returner Bobby Engram and Tampa Bay punt returner Karl Williams.
