New York, NY (My Sportsbook) -
Houston Texans running back Steve Slaton,
Indianapolis Colts defensive end Robert Mathis and Kansas City special teamer Maurice Leggett have been selected as the AFC's top players for Week 13 of the NFL season.
Slaton rushed for 130 yards with two touchdowns on just 21 carries in a 30-17 victory over Jacksonville, as the Texans won their maiden appearance on Monday Night Football. He added 52 receiving yards to become the first Texans player to capture the AFC Offensive award since Andre Johnson in 2006.
Mathis captured defensive honors for the second time in his career and for the first time since 2005 after helping the Colts to a 10-6 win over Cleveland. He notched two tackles, two sacks and a fumble recovery. The fumble recovery went 37 yards to the end zone for the game's only touchdown.
Leggett earned the special teams award, scoring a touchdown on a fake field goal in Kansas City's 20-13 win over Oakland. The Raiders botched the play when kicker Sebastian Janikowski could not handle the toss from holder Shane Lechler, and Leggett raced 67 yards the other way for the score.
Others considered for the offensive award included Tennessee running backs Chris Johnson and LenDale White, who rushed for 125 and 106 yards, respectively, with a pair of touchdowns apiece in a 47-10 rout of the Lions on Thanksgiving Day; and Denver rookie running back Peyton Hillis, who gained a career-high 129 yards with a touchdown on 22 carries in a 34-17 victory over the New York Jets.
Defensive nominees included Pittsburgh linebacker James Harrison, who posted nine tackles with two sacks and two forced fumbles in a 33-10 win over New England; and Baltimore safety Jim Leonhard, who returned an interception 35 yards for a touchdown in a 34-3 victory over Cincinnati.
Miami rookie kicker Dan Carpenter was also up for the special teams award after connecting on field goals of 37, 47 and 42 yards in a 16-12 win over St. Louis.