Around the NFL

Matt Ryan, Andrew Luck lead Week 3 Players of Week

Published: Sep 24, 2014 at 02:59 AM

Marc Sessler

Around The NFL Podcast Co-Host

Matt Ryan's sizzling early season for the Falcons was front and center last Thursday night as the veteran quarterback ripped through Tampa Bay's defense in a 56-14 cakewalk over the adrift Bucs. Ryan's handiwork in the win earned him the NFC Offensive Player of the Week award for the second time in three weeks.

Andrew Luck

Ryan was an outrageous 21-of-24 passing for 286 yards and three scores with no picks, generating a passer rating of 155.9. Throwing for 11.92 yards per attempt, Ryan piled up those big numbers before exiting midway through the third quarter. Most encouraging for Falcons fans, the star signal-caller showed dangerous chemistry with Julio Jones, finding Atlanta's premier wideout nine times for 161 yards and two touchdowns. Only Peyton Manning and Panthers fill-in Derek Anderson sport higher Total QBR scores after three weeks.

Flipping conferences, Colts quarterback Andrew Luck won AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors after blowing up the Jaguars for 370 yards and a career-best 140.4 passer rating in Sunday's easy 44-17 rout. Luck's four touchdowns tied his own career mark.

Here are the other Week 3 award winners:

AFC

San Diego Chargers DE Corey Liuget: Six tackles, one sack and a forced fumble in Sunday's win over the Buffalo Bills.

Baltimore Ravens K Justin Tucker: Converted all three field goals -- including the game-winner -- and both PATs against the Cleveland Browns.

NFC

Seattle Seahawks safety Kam Chancellor:An interception, one forced fumble, two passes defensed and nine tackles in Seattle's 26-20 overtime win over the Denver Broncos.

Atlanta Falcons return man Devin Hester: Set an NFL record with his 20th career return touchdown when he brought back a punt 62 yards for a score. He added a 20-yard score on an end around.

The latest Around The NFL Podcast recaps all of the Week 3 action and picks the top team in the AFC.

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