NFL announces Week 8 AFC and NFC players of the week

On Wednesday, the NFL announced the players of the week for the AFC and NFC in Week 8.

AFC

Offense: Jameis Winston, Cleveland Browns

Winston took hold of the newly-bestowed QB1 tag and ran with it, throwing three touchdown passes with zero interceptions off 334 passing yards in the Browns' shock 29-24 win over the Baltimore Ravens.

The 30-year-old claimed his third career Player of the Week honour, first as a member of the Browns.

Defense: T.J. Watt, Pittsburgh Steelers

Russell Wilson grabbed the headlines for Pittsburgh in Week 8 but Watt was arguably just as influential in the Steelers' 26-18 victory against the New York Giants, with seven tackles, two sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.

Special teams: Calvin Austin, Pittsburgh Steelers

Austin joins his teammate Watt as a Player of the Week winner thanks to his scintillating 73-yard punt return for a touchdown in Week 8.

NFC

Offense: Kirk Cousins, Atlanta Falcons

Cousins had another massive game for the Falcons in their 31-26 win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, throwing four touchdowns and zero interceptions on 23 of 29 passing for 276 yards. That's good for a 145.9 passer rating.

Defense: Edgerrin Cooper, Green Bay Packers

The rookie LB recorded eight tackles, a sack, a forced fumble and a pass defensed in the Packers' 30-27 road win at the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Special teams: Kalif Raymond, Detroit Lions

Raymond was a punt-returning machine in Week 8, recording 190 punt-return yards for the Lions in a 52-14 victory against the Tennessee Titans.

In addition to a 64-yard return, Raymond weaved his way through the Titans for a 90-yard punt-return touchdown in the third quarter as he sealed his second Player of the Week nod.