Bills RB James Cook, Packers QB Jordan Love highlight Players of the Week

After a few down weeks, Cook was back to his dominant self and then some in the Bills' 40-9 demolition of the Panthers, running wild for 216 yards and 11.4 yards per carry -- both career bests. His two touchdowns on the ground came in explosive fashion, as Cook gashed Carolina for scores of 64 and 21 yards. His heroics helped Buffalo snap a two-game losing streak on the other side of the team's bye, and his performance also made him and Dalvin Cook the first pair of brothers in NFL history to each have a 200-plus-yard rushing game.

On Sunday night, Love topped his Packers predecessor, Aaron Rodgers, in a 35-25 win over the Steelers. On Wednesday, he tops the NFC as the conference's top offensive performer. Love was lights out, especially in the second half, and finished with 360 yards, three touchdowns and a 134.2 passer rating on 29-of-37 passing. The victor of a battle between Green Bay QBs past and present, Love also tied Brett Favre for the longest completion streak (20) in a game by a Packers QB this century while delivering the franchise its first victory in Pittsburgh since the Bart Starr era.

The NFL's most prolific tackling machine kept on tackling in Miami's 34-10 win over the Falcons. Brooks, who leads the league with 85 tackles -- 53 of them solo, 12 more than any other player -- added 10 on Sunday to key the Fins' upset. He also notched three tackles for loss, a quarterback hit and a sack. With Brooks manning the middle of Miami's defense, the Dolphins achieved what at times appears impossible: They shut down Atlanta running back Bijan Robinson, allowing the superstar just 48 total yards.

Tampa Bay's defense led the way in a 23-3 victory over New Orleans, and Nelson led the defense. The 2019 fourth-rounder's biggest highlight came with the game tied, 0-0, on a rollout by Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler. Nelson closed off any escape route, batted Rattler's pass, collected it and then bulldozed the signal-caller before stepping into the end zone. It proved to be just a sampler for Nelson's day in total, as he ultimately finished as the fourth NFL player since 1982 (when sacks became official) to have two-plus sacks, a pick-six and a forced fumble in the same game.

In a game where Gang Green needed every inch to take down the Bengals, 39-38, Williams provided positive gains again and again. Williams, a 2024 undrafted free agent, wore many hats for the injury-depleted Jets. He caught three passes for 31 yards and took his first career carry for 25. He averaged 26.4 yards per kick return on the way to 132 yards fielding kickoffs, and his 21-yard punt return to the Jets' 42-yard line halfway through the fourth quarter set up New York for an eventual game-winning drive.

Tampa Bay's offense stalled for once this season against the Saints, leaving McLaughlin to pick up the slack. The 29-year-old kicker was up to the task. He nailed an incredible three field goals from 50-plus yards. After the Buccaneers converted their lone offensive touchdown on the other side of halftime, their next three marches ended on field goals of 55, 52 and 54 yards, turning a close 14-3 lead into a comfortable 23-3 margin. McLaughlin was also good on both of his extra-point tries.