Julian Edelman named AFC special teams player of the week

November 23, 2011|Steve Silva, Globe Staff

Julian Edelman today was named AFC special teams player of the week for his performance in the Patriots’ 34-3 win over the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday night.

In the third quarter of the nationally televised game, Edelman returned a punt 72 yards for a touchdown. It was Edelman's second punt return for a touchdown of his career. He set the franchise record with a 94-yard return in the 2010 regular season finale vs. Miami on Jan. 2, 2011. Edelman has returned 44 punts for 603 yards during his Patriots’ career and leads the franchise with a 13.7-yard average.

Last week, defensive end Andre Carter was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week last week following the victory over the New York Jets.

It is the fourth player of the week honor for the Patriots in 2011 after Tom Brady was named AFC offensive player of the week following the first two games of the season and Carter was named AFC defensive player of the week following the win against the Jets on Nov. 13.