(Sports Network) - Miami Dolphins quarterback Chad Pennington, Pittsburgh Steelers safety Tyrone Carter and New England Patriots punter Chris Hanson have been selected as the AFC's top players for Week 17 of the NFL season.

Pennington captured the offensive honor for the second time in 2008 (Week 8) and for the sixth time in his career. He is the first Dolphins quarterback to win the award twice in a season since Dan Marino in 1999.

With the Dolphins needing a win to clinch the AFC East crown, Pennington threw for 200 yards and two touchdowns on 22-of-30 efficiency, as Miami topped the New York Jets, 24-17, in the Meadowlands. The quarterback finished the season with a career-high 3,653 yards and an NFL-best 67.4 completion percentage.

Carter, the defensive player of the week, started his second game at safety in place of the injured Ryan Clark and recorded two interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown in the Steelers' 31-0 victory over the Browns. This is Carter's first Player of the Week Award, and he becomes the fourth Pittsburgh player to earn the defensive player of the week award this season.

Hanson, the special teams player of the week, punted three times for 135 yards in the Patriots' 13-0 win over the Bills. Facing 35-50 miles-per-hour winds in Buffalo, Hanson booted a 46-yard punt against the wind to eventually set up a New England touchdown. This is Hanson's second career Player of the Week Award and he is the first Patriots punter to win the award since Ken Walter in Week 15 of 2001.

Other nominees for the offensive award were Oakland running back Michael Bush, who gained a career-high 177 rushing yards with a career-best two touchdowns in the Raiders' 31-24 win over the Buccaneers; Buffalo running back Fred Jackson, who ran for a career-high 136 yards on 27 attempts in the loss to New England; and San Diego running back LaDainian Tomlinson, who had 96 rushing yards with three touchdowns in the Chargers' division-clinching win over the Broncos.

Defensive consideration went to Miami cornerback Andre' Goodman, who had two interceptions and a forced fumble; New England defensive lineman Jarvis Green, who posted two sacks and a forced fumble; and Baltimore safety Ed Reed, who recorded three tackles and two interceptions.

Ravens kicker Matt Stover was given special teams consideration after making 2-of-3 field goals and all three extra point attempts in the team's playoff- clinching victory over Jacksonville.

































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