The Awards Section

Offensive Players of the Week

New England RB Kevin Faulk. "He's been big for us all year,'' said Bill Belichick. Maybe his 90 total yards don't blow you away, but it's how he got them, and how he always gets them, that wins him this award. With New England leading 21-12, the Patriots took the ball with 9:13 left in the fourth quarter. On the first third-down conversion try, third-and-11, Tom Brady threw to Faulk for 11. On a third-and-three a couple of minutes later, Faulk made a diving catch for a ball he had no business catching. He not only caught it, but it went for 14 yards. San Diego never got the ball back.

New York Giants WR Plaxico Burress. How about having your best game -- 11 catches, 154 yards -- in your biggest game as a Giant? That's what Burress did against a good Green Bay secondary. He schooled Al Harris. "All year,'' he said afterward, "I've been playing with a torn deltoid ligament in my [right] ankle. I never had a chance to rest and get it completely better. But days like this are why you play football.''

Defensive Players of the Week

New York Giants DL Justin Tuck. The numbers were just OK -- four tackles, one quarterback pressure, one pass defensed -- but watch the Giants play and see why he's so valuable. He plays inside and out on the line, and he's smart enough to stuff screen plays with the consistency of a 10-year vet. No wonder the Giants just locked him up with a five-year, $30-million deal.

New England LB Junior Seau. One day after turning 39, the NFL's oldest linebacker played an impactful AFC title game, with six tackles, a sack and another quarterback pressure. The great thing about Belichick's scheme is that he can find players like Seau to play one specific role, and play it well.

Special Teams Player of the Week

New England WR Kelley Washington, who created 16 positive yards for the Patriots on a perfect second-quarter punt-coverage play. Patriot punter Chris Hanson booted one deep to the goal line, and Washington, who has been a demon on the kicking teams all season, batted the ball back from the end zone into the field of play. The ball was downed at the four. These plays aren't very sexy, but they help good teams win.

Coach of the Week

New York Giants offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride. Gaining 380 offensive yards on a day fit for neither man nor polar bear, particularly on the road, in such a loud place, is a heck of an accomplishment. Gilbride has done a good job in mixing up Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw, who combined for 134 rushing yards, and he's working on a three-game turnoverless streak with Eli Manning.

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