AFC Players of Week 4 Named

Quarterback PHILIP RIVERS of the San Diego Chargers, cornerback ALTERRAUN VERNER of the Tennessee Titans and punt returner-wide receiver DEXTER MC CLUSTER of the Kansas City Chiefs are the AFC Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week for games played the fourth week of the 2013 season (September 26, 29-30), the NFL announced today.

OFFENSE: QB PHILIP RIVERS, SAN DIEGO CHARGERS

• Rivers completed 35 of 42 passes (83.3 percent) for 401 yards with three touchdowns versus one interception and a 120.3 passer rating in the Chargers’ 30-21 win over Dallas.
• Rivers’ 83.3 completion percentage was the highest in NFL history for a player who attempted at least 40 passes. The previous high was set by JEFF GARCIA with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2007 (82.2 percent, 37 of 45).
• Registered his fifth-career game with 400+ passing yards and second of the season.
• His 401 yards were an AFC-best and the third-most in the NFL in Week 4.
• Through Week 4, Rivers ranks second in the NFL in touchdowns (11) and passer rating (118.8).

• In his 10thseason from North Carolina State, this is Rivers’ fifth Offensive Player of the Week award. He most recently won the award in Week 2.
• Rivers (Week 2 and 4) and PEYTON MANNING (Week 1 and 3) are the only players to win multiple Offensive Player of the Week honors this season.

DEFENSE: CB ALTERRAUN VERNER, TENNESSEE TITANS

• Verner recorded two tackles, a career-high two interceptions, one fumble recovery and two passes defensed in the Titans’ 38-13 win over the New York Jets.
• Verner’s three takeaways resulted in 21 points by the Titans offense.
• The game marked Verner’s fourth consecutive game with at least one takeaway. He has totaled six takeaways this season (four interceptions, two fumble recoveries).
• Through Week 4, Verner is tied for an NFL-best with four interceptions.

• In his fourth season from UCLA, this is Verner’s first career Defensive Player of the Week Award.
• He is the first Titans cornerback to win the award since 2008 (CORTLAND FINNEGAN, Week 1).

SPECIAL TEAMS: PR DEXTER MC CLUSTER, KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

• McCluster returned four punts for 113 yards (28.3 average), including an 89-yard touchdown in the Chiefs’ 31-7 win over the New York Giants.
• McCluster’s 89-yard punt return-touchdown is the longest in the NFL this season.
• Registered his second PR-TD of career (94 yards vs. San Diego on 9/13/10).
• His 89-yard return is the fourth-longest punt return in franchise history.
• Helped the Chiefs become the second team in NFL history to start 4-0 after finishing the previous season with at least 14 losses (1980 Detroit).
• In his fourth season from the University of Mississippi, this is McCluster’s second Special Teams Player of the Week Award. He previously won the award in 2010 (Week 1).

2013 AFC PLAYERS OF THE WEEK