C.J. Stroud, Jalen Ramsey and Julius Chestnut Earn AFC Week 6 Player of the Week Honors
Three standout performances across the AFC have earned Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud, Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Jalen Ramsey and Tennessee Titans running back Julius Chestnut conference Player of the Week recognition.
The NFL announced the honors Oct. 21, recognizing Stroud as Offensive Player of the Week, Ramsey as Defensive Player of the Week and Chestnut as Special Teams Player of the Week for games played during Week 6.
Each player made a significant impact in a winning effort, helping their teams secure important victories in a competitive stretch of the season.
C.J. Stroud Leads Houston’s Offensive Charge
Stroud delivered one of Week 6’s most efficient passing performances in Houston’s 34-31 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley Stadium.
The Texans quarterback completed 24 of 34 passes for 312 yards and three touchdowns, finishing with a 116.3 passer rating. He was the only quarterback in the league during Week 6 to record a passer rating of at least 115.
Stroud also joined a select group of quarterbacks who have posted at least 300 passing yards, three touchdown passes, a completion percentage of 70% or better and a passer rating of at least 110 in a single game this season.
The award marks Stroud’s fourth career AFC Offensive Player of the Week honor. He becomes the third Houston player to receive the recognition at least four times, joining Deshaun Watson, who won it five times, and Matt Schaub, who earned it four times.
Stroud previously won the award twice in 2023, during Weeks 9 and 18, and once in 2025, during Week 5. His latest honor also makes him one of just two former Ohio State players to win Offensive Player of the Week four times, alongside former NFL running back Eddie George.
Jalen Ramsey Makes History in Pittsburgh’s Overtime Win
Ramsey made his presence felt on defense as the Steelers defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 26-19 in overtime.
The veteran cornerback recorded career highs with 10 tackles and four tackles for loss while tying his career best with two sacks. His four tackles for loss led the NFL in Week 6.
Ramsey’s performance also put him in rare company. He became the first defensive back since 2000 to record at least 10 tackles, four tackles for loss and two sacks in a single game.
The recognition is Ramsey’s third career Defensive Player of the Week award and his first since joining Pittsburgh. He is the first Steelers cornerback to earn the honor since Mike Hilton received it in Week 16 of the 2020 season.
Ramsey previously earned the award in Week 16 of 2016 with Jacksonville and Week 11 of 2023 with Miami.
He also became the fourth former Florida State cornerback to earn Defensive Player of the Week honors at least three times, joining Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, a five-time winner, along with Terrell Buckley and Antonio Cromartie, who each won three times.
Julius Chestnut Delivers a Game-Changing Special Teams Play
Chestnut made his biggest impact in Tennessee’s 26-20 victory over the Indianapolis Colts, helping swing momentum with a crucial special teams play.
The Titans running back recorded two special teams tackles and blocked a punt. Tennessee recovered the blocked kick and returned it 14 yards for a touchdown, giving the Titans a 20-13 lead in the fourth quarter.
That sequence proved to be a major turning point in a game Tennessee ultimately won by six points.
The award is Chestnut’s first career Player of the Week honor. He becomes just the second Titans running back to earn Special Teams Player of the Week, joining Darius Reynaud, who received the award twice.
Chestnut also made history as the first former Sacred Heart player to earn an NFL Player of the Week honor.
What It Really Means
Week 6 showcased three different ways players can influence the outcome of an NFL game.
Stroud delivered through the air. His three touchdown passes and 312 passing yards helped Houston win a close international matchup against Jacksonville. His efficiency was just as important as his production, with a completion rate above 70% and a passer rating of 116.3.
Ramsey changed the game defensively. Tackles, sacks and tackles for loss measure different parts of a defender’s impact. Recording double-digit tackles, four tackles for loss and two sacks in one game highlights how Ramsey affected plays at multiple points on the field.
Chestnut changed the scoreboard on special teams. A blocked punt can disrupt an opponent’s possession and create an immediate scoring opportunity. Tennessee turned his block into a touchdown, helping build a lead in the fourth quarter.
Together, the three performances demonstrate why the NFL recognizes offensive, defensive and special teams contributions separately. A quarterback can power a scoring attack, a defender can disrupt an opponent’s game plan, and one special teams play can shift the momentum of an entire contest.
Source: National Football League (NFL)