Week 4 AFC Players of the Week: Brady, Butler, Prater

Quarterback TOM BRADY of the New England Patriots, linebacker DONALD BUTLER of the San Diego Chargers and kicker MATT PRATER of the Denver Broncos are the AFC Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week for games played the fourth week of the 2012 season (September 27 and 30; October 1), the NFL announced today.

OFFENSE: QB TOM BRADY, NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

Brady passed for 340 yards with three touchdowns versus zero interceptions and a 120.1 passer rating in a 52-28 win over the Buffalo Bills.
Helped the Patriots become the second team in NFL history with a 300-yard passer (Brady, 340 yards), two 100-yard rushers (BRANDON BOLDEN, 137 and STEVAN RIDLEY, 106) and two 100-yard receivers (WES WELKER, 129 andROB GRONKOWSKI, 104). The only other team to accomplish the feat was the 2008 Packers (December 28).
In the first quarter, Brady (41,206) surpassed KERRY COLLINS (40,922) for 11th-most passing yards in NFL history on a 41-yard pass to tight end Rob Gronkowski.
Registered his 48th career 300-yard passing game, the eighth-most 300-yard passing games in NFL history.
Brady extended his touchdown pass streak to 36 consecutive games, tied with BRETT FAVRE (2002-04) for the third-longest streak in NFL history.
In his 13thseason from Michigan, this is Brady’s 21st Player of the Week award, tying PEYTON MANNNG (21) for the most Player of the Week awards since the accolade was instituted in 1984.

DEFENSE: LB DONALD BUTLER, SAN DIEGO CHARGERS

Butler recorded six tackles, 0.5 sack, one pass defensed and an interception-return touchdown in the Chargers’ 37-20 win at Kansas City.

Late in the second quarter, Butler intercepted a pass intended for Chiefs tight end TONY MOEAKI and returned it 21 yards for a touchdown as the Chargers took a 27-6 lead.
In his third season from Washington, this is Butler’s first career Defensive Player of the Week Award.

Butler played a pivotal role in a defense that registered six takeaways, leading to 20 points.
The six takeaways are the most in a game for San Diego since September 19, 2010 against Jacksonville.
Through Week 4, Butler ranks second on the team with 30 tackles.

SPECIAL TEAMS: K MATT PRATER, DENVER BRONCOS

Prater connected on all three field goals (21, 43, 53) and registered touchbacks on all eight kickoffs in the Broncos’ 37-6 win over the Oakland Raiders.
His 53-yard field goal in the fourth quarter improved his career mark to 77.8 percent (14-of-18) for 50+yard field goals, the highest field goal percentage of 50+ yard field goals since 1970 (minimum 10 attempts).
Through Week 4, Prater has made all seven field goals and all 11 extra point attempts.
In his sixth season from Central Florida, this is Prater’s fourth career Special Teams Player of the Week Award. He most recently won the award in 2011 (Week 14).