NEW YORK — Dec. 24, 2024 — Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor, Las Vegas safety Isaiah Pola-Mao and Miami Dolphins kicker Jason Sanders are the AFC Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week for Week 16 (December 19, 21-23).
OFFENSE: RB JONATHAN TAYLOR, INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
- Taylor led the NFL in Week 16 with 218 rushing yards (7.5 yards per carry) and three rushing touchdowns in the Colts’ 38-30 win over the Titans. He became the sixth player all-time with at least 200 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns in four games within in his first five seasons in NFL history and the fifth player since 1990 with at least 185 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown in four games within his first five career seasons.
- This is the third-career Offensive Player of the Week award for Taylor. He joins Pro Football Hall of Famer Edgerrin James (six-time winner) as the only Colts running backs to earn the honor three-or-more times.
- 2021: Week 11
- 2022: Week 10
- 2024: Week 16
- Taylor becomes the first former Wisconsin running back and joins Russell Wilson (11-time winner) as the only former Wisconsin players to win Offensive Player of the Week three-or-more times.
DEFENSE: S ISAIAH POLA-MAO, LAS VEGAS RAIDERS
- Pola-Mao recorded nine tackles and two forced fumbles in Las Vegas’ 19-14 win over Jacksonville. His two forced fumbles were the most by any player in Week 16. Pola-Mao is the first defensive back to record nine tackles and two forced fumbles in a game since Week 12, 2023 (Josh Metellus).
- This is Pola-Mao’s first-career Defensive Player of the Week award, becoming the second Raiders defensive back to earn the honor in the past 10 seasons (2015-24), joining Jeff Heath (Week 10, 2020).
- Pola-Mao becomes the fourth former USC defensive back to win Defensive Player of the Week in the past 20 seasons (2005-24), joining Pro Football Hall of Famer Troy Polamalu (six-time winner), Nickell Robey-Coleman (Week 5, 2016) and Terrell Thomas (Week 8, 2013).
SPECIAL TEAMS: K JASON SANDERS, MIAMI DOLPHINS
- Sanders converted all five of his field goal attempts, including field goals of 44, 48 and 54 yards, and both of his point-after attempts in the Dolphins’ 29-17 win over the 49ers. His 17 points scored were the most among kickers in Week 16.
- This is the sixth-career Special Teams Player of the Week award for Sanders, the third-most Player of the Week awards in Dolphins history, trailing only Pro Football Hall of Famers Dan Marino (18-time winner) and Jason Taylor (seven).
- 2019: Weeks 10, 13
- 2020: Weeks 5, 16
- 2023: Week 16
- 2024: Week 16
- Sanders becomes the second former New Mexico player to earn six-or-more Player of the Week awards, joining Pro Football Hall of Famer Brian Urlacher (seven-time winner).
