NFL announces AFC, NFC players of month for October

TITANS RB DERRICK HENRY, JETS DL QUINNEN WILLIAMS & TITANS P RYAN STONEHOUSE NAMED AFC PLAYERS OF THE MONTH FOR OCTOBER

Running back DERRICK HENRY of the Tennessee Titans, defensive lineman QUINNEN WILLIAMS of the New York Jets and punter RYAN STONEHOUSE of the Tennessee Titans are the AFC Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Month for the month of October (Weeks 4-8).

OFFENSE: RB DERRICK HENRY, TENNESSEE TITANS

Henry rushed for 563 yards (140.8 per game) with five touchdowns in four games during the month of October and added nine receptions for 82 yards. His 563 rushing yards are the most in the NFL since Week 4.

This is the third Offensive Player of the Month award for Henry (December, 2018 and October, 2020), the most in franchise history.

He becomes the first running back since Todd Gurley to win the award three times.

DEFENSE: DL QUINNEN WILLIAMS, NEW YORK JETS

Williams totaled 23 tackles, 4.5 sacks, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and one pass defensed in five games during October. He was one of two players in the AFC to record at least half a sack in four games during the month.

This is the first Defensive Player of the Month award for Williams and he is the first Jets player to win the award since cornerback Darrelle Revis (December, 2009).

Williams is the first Alabama defensive lineman to earn the honor since Antwan Odom (September, 2009).

SPECIAL TEAMS: P RYAN STONEHOUSE, TENNESSEE TITANS

Stonehouse recorded 20 punts with an average of 51.7 yards per punt (45.0 net average), both the highest marks in the AFC during the month of October. Eight of his 20 punts were pinned inside the 20-yard line.

This is the first Special Teams Player of the Month award for Stonehouse and he becomes the first Titans player to earn the award since kicker Stephen Gostkowski (September, 2020).
Stonehouse is the first player to earn the honor from Colorado State.

SEAHAWKS QB GENO SMITH, VIKINGS LB ZA’DARIUS SMITH & COMMANDERS P TRESS WAY NAMED NFC PLAYERS OF THE MONTH FOR OCTOBER

Quarterback GENO SMITH of the Seattle Seahawks, linebacker ZA’DARIUS SMITH of the Minnesota Vikings and punter TRESS WAY of the Washington Commanders are the NFC Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Month for the month of October.

OFFENSE: QB GENO SMITH, SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

Smith completed 102 of 147 pass attempts (69.4 percent) for 1,207 yards with nine touchdown passes for a 111.7 rating in five games during the month of October, leading the Seahawks to a 4-1 record. He had the highest passer rating of any NFC quarterback during the month.

Smith also recorded 143 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown in October. His 10 total touchdowns led all NFC quarterbacks from Weeks 4-8 and he leads the league in completion percentage (72.7 percent) through the first eight weeks of the season.

This is the first Offensive Player of the Month award for Smith. He is the fifth Seahawks quarterback to ever earn the honor.

Smith becomes the first-ever player from West Virginia University to win Offensive Player of the Month honors, and first former Mountaineer to win a Player of the Month Award since Pat McAfee won AFC Special Teams Player of the Month in 2014 (September).

DEFENSE: LB ZA’DARIUS SMITH, MINNESOTA VIKINGS

Smith led all players with 6.5 sacks and led all NFC players with eight tackles for loss as part of a Vikings team that went 4-0 in the month of October.

Smith leads the NFL in tackles for loss with 13 and ranks tied for first with 8.5 sacks through the first eight weeks of the season.

This is the first Defensive Player of the Month award for Smith and he is the second Vikings linebacker to earn the honor, joining Jack Del Rio (September, 1994).

Smith becomes the first former Kentucky linebacker and second former Wildcat overall to win a Defensive Player of the Month award, joining defensive end Art Still (December, 1986).

SPECIAL TEAMS: P TRESS WAY, WASHINGTON COMMANDERS

Way averaged 46.8 yards per punt, with an NFC-best 45.1 net average on 28 punts during the month of October. He placed a league-high 16 punts inside of the 20-yard line, including a league-best six inside of the 10-yard line.

This is the first Special Teams Player of the Month award for Way. He becomes the second Washington punter to be named Special Teams Player of the Month, joining Matt Turk (October, 1997).

He is the first former Oklahoma player to be named Special Teams Player of the Month and sixth former Sooner overall to earn a Player of the Month award.