NEW YORK — Oct. 21, 2026 — Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud, Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Jalen Ramsey and Tennessee Titans running back Julius Chestnut are the AFC Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week for games played in Week 6 (October 15, 18-19).

OFFENSE: QB C.J. STROUD, HOUSTON TEXANS

  • Stroud completed 24 of 34 pass attempts (70.6 percent) for 312 yards and three touchdowns for a 116.3 passer rating in Houston’s 34-31 win against Jacksonville at Wembley Stadium. He was the only quarterback with a passer rating of 115-or-higher in Week 6. Stroud is one of four quarterbacks this season with at least 300 passing yards, three touchdown passes, a completion percentage of 70-or-higher and a passer rating of 110-or-higher in a single game.

  • This is Stroud’s fourth Offensive Player of the Week award. He becomes the third Texans player to earn the honor at least four times, joining Deshaun Watson (five-time winner) and Matt Schaub (four).
    • 2023: Weeks 9 & 18
    • 2025: Week 5
    • 2026: Week 6
       
  • Stroud joins Eddie George as the only former Ohio State players to win Offensive Player of the Week four times.

DEFENSE: CB JALEN RAMSEY, PITTSBURGH STEELERS

  • Ramsey recorded career highs in tackles (10) and tackles for loss (four) and tied his career high in sacks (two) in Pittsburgh’s 26-19 overtime win at Tampa Bay. He is the first defensive back since 2000 to record at least 10 tackles, four tackles for loss and two sacks in a single game. Ramsey’s four tackles for loss led the NFL in Week 6.

  • This is Ramsey’s third Defensive Player of the Week award and his first with the Steelers. He becomes the first Steelers cornerback to win Defensive Player of the Week since Mike Hilton (Week 16, 2020).
    • 2016: Week 16 (Jaguars)
    • 2023: Week 11 (Dolphins)
    • 2026: Week 6 (Steelers)
       
  • Ramsey is the fourth former Florida State cornerback to be named Defensive Player of the Week at least three times, joining Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders (five-time winner), Terrell Buckley (three) and Antonio Cromartie (three).

SPECIAL TEAMS: RB JULIUS CHESTNUT, TENNESSEE TITANS

  • Chestnut recorded two special teams tackles and blocked a punt in Tennessee’s 26-20 win at Indianapolis. His blocked punt was recovered and returned 14 yards for a touchdown, giving the Titans a 20-13 lead in the fourth quarter.
  • This is Chestnut’s first Player of the Week award. He becomes the second Titans running back to be named Special Teams Player of the Week, joining Darius Reynaud (two-time winner).
  • Chestnut is the first former Sacred Heart player to earn a Player of the Week honor.

Download the release (PDF)