New York, NY (SportsNetwork.com) - San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers, Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick and Houston kicker Randy Bullock were selected as the AFC's top players for Week 16 of the NFL season.
Rivers earned the offensive award for the sixth time in his career with 356 yards passing and four touchdowns in San Diego's 38-35 overtime win against San Francisco. He helped the Chargers overcome a 21-point deficit, tying for the largest comeback in franchise history.
Kirkpatrick claimed the defensive honor, helping Cincinnati secure a playoff spot with two interceptions of Denver's Peyton Manning in the Bengals' 37-28 win over the Broncos on Monday. He picked off Manning on each of Denver's final two drives, returning the first interception 30 yards for a touchdown while the second came with just over a minute left to seal the victory.
Bullock converted each of his six field goal tries in Houston's 25-13 win over Baltimore to nab the special teams award. The victory kept the Texans alive in the AFC playoff race.
Other offensive nominees included Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill, who completed 35-of-47 passes for 396 yards with four touchdowns in a 37-35 win over Minnesota; Cincinnati running back Jeremy Hill, who rushed for 147 yards with a touchdown against the Broncos; and Houston's Arian Foster, who compiled 119 scrimmage yards and threw a touchdown pass in the win over the Ravens.
Defensive consideration went to Jacksonville linebacker Khalil Mack, who recorded 15 tackles in a 21-13 win over Tennessee; and Houston's J.J. Watt, who notched eight tackles and a sack against Baltimore.
Miami's Terrence Fede was up for the special teams award after his blocked punt resulted in a safety and the winning points against the Vikings.
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