NEW YORK — Sept. 11, 2024 — Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon, Buffalo Bills defensive end Greg Rousseau and Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Chris Boswell are the AFC Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week for games played on Kickoff Weekend (September 5-6, 8-9).
OFFENSE: RB JOE MIXON, HOUSTON TEXANS
- Mixon led the NFL with 178 scrimmage yards (159 rushing, 19 receiving) in Week 1 and added a rushing touchdown in his Houston debut, helping the Texans secure a divisional victory over Indianapolis, 29-27.
- This is the fourth-career Offensive Player of the Week Award for Mixon:
- 2020: Week 4 (Cincinnati)
- 2021: Week 12 (Cincinnati)
- 2022: Week 9 (Cincinnati)
- 2024: Week 1 (Houston)
- Mixon becomes the fourth Texans running back to earn the honor, joining Arian Foster (three-time winner), Devin Singletary (2023) and Steve Slaton (2008).
DEFENSE: DE GREG ROUSSEAU, BUFFALO BILLS
- Rousseau recorded six tackles and three sacks in Buffalo’s 34-28 comeback victory over Arizona, one of which forced a pivotal fumble in the third quarter, leading to the go-ahead score.
- This is the second-career Defensive Player of the Week Award for Rousseau, also earning the honor in Week 5 of the 2021 season as a rookie.
- Rousseau becomes the fourth Buffalo defensive lineman to earn the honor multiple times, joining Pro Football Hall of Famer Bruce Smith (eight-time winner), Aaron Schobel (two) and Mario Williams (two).
SPECIAL TEAMS: K CHRIS BOSWELL, PITTSBURGH STEELERS
- Boswell accounted for all of Pittsburgh’s points in their 18-10 victory over Atlanta, converting on a total of six field goals, five of which were 40 yards-or-longer and three of which were 50 yards-or-longer. Boswell, along with Houston’s Ka’imi Fairbairn, became the first two kickers all-time to make three 50-yard field goals in a season-opening game.
- This is the third-career Special Teams Player of the Week Award for Boswell and his first since 2017:
- 2015: Week 6
- 2017: Week 13
- 2024: Week 1
- Boswell becomes the fourth Pittsburgh kicker to earn the honor three-or-more times, joining Jeff Reed (four-time winner), Kris Brown (three) and Shaun Suisham (three).