New York, NY (My Sportsbook) - San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers, Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Aaron Smith and New England Patriots return specialist Ellis Hobbs have been selected as the AFC's top players for Week 15 of the NFL season.

Rivers earned the offensive award for the third time in his career after leading the Chargers to a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns in a 22-21 victory over Kansas City. He completed 34-of-48 passes for 346 yards with a pair of touchdowns to keep San Diego's flickering playoff hopes alive. In the fourth quarter alone, trailing 21-10, Rivers threw for 190 yards with two scores while connecting on 18-of-24 throws.

Smith picked up the defensive honor thanks to an eight-tackle performance that helped Pittsburgh capture the AFC North with a 13-9 victory at Baltimore. He added a sack and a pair of quarterback pressures, aiding a Steeler defense that limited Baltimore to just 202 total yards and held Baltimore rookie quarterback Joe Flacco to a 22.2 passer rating. Smith won the award for the first time in his career, but became the third Steeler to win it this year, joining Troy Polamalu and James Harrison.

Hobbs returned a kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown in New England's 49-26 win at Oakland to capture the special teams award for the second time in his career. His return came immediately after Oakland's Justin Miller returned a kickoff for a touchdown. It was the third kickoff return for a touchdown in Hobbs' career, tying him with Raymond Clayborn for the most in Patriots history.

Others nominated for the offensive award included Patriots quarterback Matt Cassel, who threw for 218 yards with four touchdowns against the Raiders; Colts tight end Dallas Clark, who caught 12 passes for 142 yards with a touchdown in a 31-21 victory over Detroit; and Houston wide receiver Andre Johnson, who notched 11 catches for 207 yards with a score in a 13-12 win over Tennessee.

Defensive consideration went to Jets defensive end Shaun Ellis, who returned a fumble 11 yards for the winning score in a 31-27 victory over Buffalo, while Miami punter Brandon Fields was also nominated for the special teams honor after averaging 41 yards on five punts with three inside the 20-yard line in a 14-9 win over San Francisco.