New York, NY (My Sportsbook) -
Philadelphia Eagles running back Brian Westbrook,
Minnesota Vikings defense end Jared Allen and
Carolina Panthers return specialist Mark Jones have been selected as the NFC's top players for Week 13 of the 2008 NFL season.
Westbrook rushed for 110 yards and had three receptions for 20 yards, tallying four total touchdowns in the Eagles' 48-20 Thanksgiving night win over the Arizona Cardinals. The Pro Bowl running back became only the fourth player in NFL history and the first since Lydell Mitchell of the Baltimore Colts in 1975 to record at least 100 rushing yards, two rushing touchdowns and two receiving touchdowns in a game. It marks the third weekly award of his career, including one other time on offense in 2007 and one time on special teams in 2003.
Allen recorded eight tackles and three sacks in the Vikings' 34-14 win over Chicago on Sunday night, helping Minnesota improve to 7-5 on the season. Allen also contributed by stopping Chicago on a key fourth-down play at the Vikings goal line, stopping the Bears' running back and keeping Chicago out of the end zone. This is Allen's second career Player of the Week Award, with the other coming in Week 6 in 2005 when he was a member of the Kansas City Chiefs.
Jones had a combined 201 kick-return yards in the Panthers' 35-31 comeback win at Green Bay. The 201 yards mark the third-most in team history. Jones returned four kicks for 155 yards (38.8 average) and four punts for 46 yards (11.5 average).
Other players considered for the offensive award included Minnesota wide receiver Bernard Berrian, who hauled in a 99-yard touchdown pass in the win over Chicago; New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning, who threw for 305 yards with a touchdown in a 23-7 win at Washington; and Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb, who threw four touchdown passes against Arizona only a few days after being benched.
Defensive nominees included Tampa Bay safety Jermaine Phillips, who had 10 tackles and an interception in a 23-20 win over New Orleans; and San Francisco linebacker Patrick Willis, who notched 14 tackles with a forced fumble in a 10-3 victory over Buffalo.
Giants kicker John Carney was considered for the special teams award after connecting on each of his three field goal tries against the Redskins.
