Official Chargers Blog

Linebacker Shawne Merriman, rookie quarterback Vince Young of the Tennessee Titans and kicker Kris Brown of the Houston Texans are the AFC Defensive, Offensive, and Special Teams Players of the Week for games played the 16th week of the 2006 season (December 21, 23-25), the NFL announced today.

Defense: LB Shawne Merriman, San Diego Chargers

Helping keep the Seattle offense off-balance last Sunday was San Diego All-Star linebacker Merriman, who posted five tackles, including 3.0 sacks, two other quarterback pressures and a pair of passes defensed in a 20-17 road win to maintain possession of the inside track for the AFC’s No. 1 playoff seed. With a win at home against Arizona Sunday, the Chargers (13-2) will earn homefield advantage throughout the playoffs. The victory was the Chargers’ 13th of the season, establishing a franchise record. Merriman sacked the Seattle quarterback on the first play from scrimmage which led to an eventual punt. His second sack later in the first quarter put the Seahawks in a 2nd-and-15 situation where the Chargers capitalized on an interception two plays later. His final sack of the day came on the Seahawks’ final drive to stymie a Seattle comeback attempt. Merriman’s disruptions in the backfield helped limit the Seattle quarterback to the second-lowest passer rating in his career as he completed on 17 of 37 (45.9 percent) on the day. The Chargers lead the NFL with 60 sacks.

In his second season from Maryland, this is the second Player of the Week Award of Merriman’s career.