NEW YORK — Sept. 24, 2025 — Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor, Los Angeles Chargers safety Derwin James,and Cleveland Browns kicker Andre Szmyt are the AFC Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week for games played in Week 3 (September 18, 21-22).
OFFENSE: RB JONATHAN TAYLOR, INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
- Taylor led the league with three rushing touchdowns and had 118 scrimmage yards (102 rushing, 16 receiving) in Indianapolis’ 41-20 win at Tennessee, improving the Colts to 3-0 for the first time since 2009. This marks Taylor’s third-career game with at least three rushing touchdowns, tied for the second-most such games since entering the NFL in 2020.
- This is the fifth-career Offensive Player of the Week award for Taylor and second this season. He is the first Colts player to earn the honor in back-to-back weeks.
- 2021: Week 11
- 2022: Week 10
- 2024: Week 16
- 2025: Week 2, 3
- Taylor surpasses John Hall (four-time winner) for the fourth-most Player of the Week awards by a former Wisconsin player, trailing only Russell Wilson (11), T.J. Watt (eight) and J.J. Watt (seven).
DEFENSE: S DERWIN JAMES, LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
- James led the league with four tackles for loss and recorded 12 tackles and a sack in the Chargers’ 23-20 win over the Broncos. This marks James’ fourth-career game with at least 10 tackles and a sack, the most in the NFL since he entered the league in 2018.
- This is James’ first-career Defensive Player of the Week award, becoming the first Chargers safety to earn the honor since Rodney Harrison (Week 5, 1999).
- James becomes the sixth former Florida State safety to earn Defensive Player of the Week, joining Michael Boulware, Terrence Brooks, Pro Football Hall of Famer LeRoy Butler, Chris Hope and Dexter Jackson.
SPECIAL TEAMS: K ANDRE SZMYT, CLEVELAND BROWNS
- Szmyt converted on both of his field goal attempts – including the 55-yard game-winner as time expired – in the Browns’ 13-10 win over the Packers. He also converted on his lone point after attempt. His game-winning 55-yard field goal helped Cleveland overcome a 10-point deficit in the final four minutes to earn their first win of the season. All four of his kicks came in the final four minutes.
- This is Szmyt’s first Player of the Week award, joining Phil Dawson (two-time winner), Dustin Hopkins (two), Matt Stover and Cade York as the only Browns kickers to win Special Teams Player of the Week.
- Szmyt becomes the third former Syracuse kicker to win Special Teams Player of the Week, joining Gary Anderson (six-time winner) and Olindo Mare (three).
