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A 'smokin' D.T. gets AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors

For the second time in his career, Demaryius Thomas earns AFC Offensive Player of the Week for his ridiculously awesome performance on Sunday.

By Laurie Lattimore-Volkmann
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Thomas had eight catches for a franchise-record 226 yards with two touchdowns in Denver's 41-20 jolt to the previously undefeated Cardinals on Sunday.

Wrapped inside those stats is an 86-yard touchdown that included 61 of Thomas' signature "yards after catch." On the day, Thomas racked up 149 YAC with a 28.3 yards-per-catch average.

That 86-yard touchdown ranks fourth in Broncos history for longest reception, the first belonging to Eddie Royal's 93-yard reception against the Cleveland Browns in 2008.

In addition to breaking a franchise record, Thomas' 226 yards - which surpassed Shannon Sharpe's 214 against Kansas City Chiefs in 2002 - are the most by an NFL player this season.

Can you say "Smokin' Hot?"

Terrance Knighton can!

D.T.'s breakout performance Sunday also represents just the fifth 200-yard receiving game by a Bronco in the regular season.

Including the postseason, Thomas has totaled two 200-yard receiving outputs in his career.

In Denver's 2011 AFC Wild Card Game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, he had 4 catches for 204 yards, including  the game-winning 71-yard touchdown in overtime.

Anyone here remember that play?

This marks the 55th time a Broncos player has taken home AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors since the award was initiated by the NFL in 1984.

Thomas also earned the award in Week 10 last season for his seven catches on 108 yards plus three touchdowns against the Chargers.

He is the second Bronco to be named AFC Player of the Week this year, joining tight end Julius Thomas from Week 1.

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