Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (left) and running back David Johnson (right) earned NFC player of the week awards for their work in Chicago.
Larry Fitzgerald has put together a long and impressive career. David Johnson is just getting started.
Each had a performance Sunday that not only helped the Cardinals blow out the Bears -- the two combined for five touchdowns – but they both earned NFC Player of the Week awards. Fitzgerald was named offensive player of the week after his eight catches for 112 yards and a career-best three touchdowns, while Johnson was given the special teams player of the week nod after his
record-tying 108-yard kickoff return to open the game.
The only other time Fitzgerald has had three touchdowns in a game was against the Eagles in the NFC Championship game following the 2008 season. With 14 catches for 199 yards in two games, he has a chance to have his best season since 2011 – which was the last time he crossed the 1,000-yard barrier.
"What I'm capable of doing, what I've done, it speaks for itself," Fitzgerald said. "At this point, I'm just more so happy to be on a team that really has an opportunity to do something special.
"Being a part of something like this, when I didn't have that opportunity early on in my career, then there was a lull in the middle of my career, to have another opportunity (to win) is really what I think about, not so much my role. I know that if my number is called, I'm going to go out there and give it my best and make my plays, but I've never been around as deep of a team."
Fitzgerald had been named NFC offensive player of the week three times previous, coincidentally, all against Philadelphia, in 2011, 2012 and 2014.
Johnson's first award came because of his record-setting return, but he also had a 13-yard touchdown run in the game and gained 42 yards on only five carries. In becoming the first player ever to score a touchdown on a kickoff return, rushing and receiving – he had a 55-yard game-clinching touchdown in Week 1 – Johnson had his signed jersey and shoes put on display at the Pro Football Hall of Fame this week.
The top Cardinals performers from Sunday's win over the Bears
RB David Johnson: 108-yard kickoff return; 5 rush, 42 yards, TD
S Tony Jefferson: Nine tackles, interception return for touchdown, tackle for loss
WR Larry Fitzgerald: 8 catches, 112 yards, 3 TD
QB Carson Palmer: 17-of-24 for 185 yards, 4 TD, INT
DE Josh Mauro: Four tackles, sack, pass defensed
DT Frostee Rucker: Two tackles, forced fumble, quarterback hit
CB Patrick Peterson: Three tackles, interception
DE Calais Campbell: Six tackles, pass defensed
RB Chris Johnson: 20 rush, 72 yards
WR Jaron Brown: Two catches, 20 yards, TD
