New York, NY (My Sportsbook) - New York Giants running back Derrick Ward, Seattle Seahawks cornerback Josh Wilson and Washington Redskins punter Ryan Plackemeier have been selected as the NFC's top performers for Week 16 of the 2008 season.

Ward amassed a career-high 215 yards on 15 carries to help the Giants overtake the Carolina Panthers, 34-28, in overtime and secure home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs. Ward joined Pro Football Hall of Famer Bobby Mitchell as the only players in league history to rush for at least 215 yards on 15 or fewer carries and became the fifth Giant to capture a weekly award this season.

Wilson registered five tackles, two interceptions and his first career sack in Seattle's 13-3 triumph over the Jets, a potential crushing loss for New York in its pursuit of the AFC East title.

Plackemeier, who won the Ray Guy Award at Wake Forest as the nation's best punter, placed five of his eight punts at or inside the 10-yard line and allowed only seven return yards as the Redskins defeated Philadelphia, 10-3.

All three players earned their first career Player of the Week Award.

Offensive consideration also went to New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees, who completed 30-of-40 passes for 351 yards with two touchdowns in a 42-7 win at Detroit; and Minnesota tight end Visanthe Shiancoe, who had a career-high seven catches for 136 yards and two scores in a 24-17 loss to Atlanta.

Also nominated for the defensive award was San Francisco linebacker Patrick Willis, who recorded 13 tackles in a 17-16 win over St. Louis, while special teams consideration went to Chicago kicker Robbie Gould, who drilled an overtime field goal for the second consecutive week to beat Green Bay.