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Patriots' Tom Brady, Dion Lewis earn AFC Player of the Week honors

Tom Brady was named the AFC Offensive Player of the Week for the third time this season and the 30th time in his career. Dustin Bradford/Getty Images

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week and running back Dion Lewis took home AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors as a result of their performances in Sunday's 41-16 victory over the Denver Broncos.

Brady was 25-of-34 for 266 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions. Lewis returned a kickoff 103 yards for a touchdown.

It marks the 30th time in his career that Brady has earned a Player of the Week honor, which extends his own NFL record. It is his third such honor this season, which could be a factor for MVP consideration coming down the homestretch of the season.

Lewis is the first Patriots return specialist to earn the honor since Julian Edelman in 2014.

Both Brady and Lewis would be the first to point out that their performances wouldn't be possible without the other 10 players on the field with them, and in the case of Lewis, his honor shines a spotlight on the team's often-overlooked kickoff-return unit that is comprised of Jacob Hollister, Marquis Flowers, Jordan Richards, Brandon King, Brandon Bolden, Trevor Reilly, Nate Ebner, James Develin, Dwayne Allen, Matthew Slater and Lewis.

With Slater ailing with a hamstring injury, Johnson Bademosi is the likely option to take his place.