#1 Star:  Dustin Pedroia, Boston Red Sox
Alma Mater: Arizona State
Stats (9/7 – 9/13): 5 Runs, 3 Home Runs, 6 RBIs, .421 BA

With the Boston Red Sox barely holding onto the AL Wild Card with a three game lead over the Texas Rangers, Dustin Pedroia did everything he possibly could to keep the Red Sox out in front. During the six game week, Pedroia recorded hits in all six games, which also included three multi-hit games. Boston went 5 – 1 during this hot week for Pedroia and extended their AL Wild Card lead from three games to 4.5.

During a double-header vs division rival Tampa Bay on the 13th, Pedroia hit a two-run HR in the top of the 8th of game one to break a 1-1 tie. The lead he gave the Red Sox would stand as the game ended 3-1. Dustin Pedroia won the AL MVP last year and he looks to be putting together clutch weeks at the end of this year as well.

#2 Star:  Troy Polamalu, Pittsburgh Steelers
Alma Mater: USC
Stats (9/10): 6 Tackles, 1 Interception, 2 Pass Deflections (in 1 half)

The defending Super Bowl Champion Pittsburgh Steelers suffered a big blow Thursday night when Pro Bowl safety Troy Polamalu tore the medial collateral ligament in his left knee, sidelining him for three to six weeks.

Before this injury occurred however, Polamalu showed exactly how big of a playmaker he is making six tackles, one interception and two pass deflections in only the first half of the game.

I’m sure most of you saw his great one-handed interception at his own five yard line to prevent any scoring threat from the Titans.  It will be interesting to see how Pittsburgh does without him, as he is easily one of their biggest threats on defense.

#3 Star:  Mike Bell, New Orleans Saints
Alma Mater: Arizona
Stats (9/13): 28 Carries for 143 Yds (1 lost fumble)

With Pierre Thomas out of the lineup, many people thought that Drew Brees would have to do without the “true” running game against the Detroit Lions. Mike Bell proved that theory wrong with his 143 yd performance averaging 5.1 yds per carry.

Bell was second in the league in rushing yards this week (behind only Adrian Peterson) and made a strong case for himself to still get his share of carries when Pierre Thomas comes back from injury.  I am curious to see what Sean Payton does when Pierre Thomas gets back and how he finds a way to spread the ball around to all three of his talented running backs.

Honorable Mentions:

Stanford’s Oshiomogho Atogwe (6 Tackles, 2 Ast Tackles, 1 INT, 2 Pass Deflections)
Cal’s DeSean Jackson (2 Rushes for 33 Yds, 2 Receptions for 9 Yds, 109 Return Yds with a TD)
UCLA’s Maurice Jones-Drew (21 Carries for 97 Yds 1 TD, 5 Receptions for 26 yds)
Arizona State’s Zach Miller (6 Receptions for 96 Yds)
USC’s Mark Sanchez (18/31 272 Yds, 1 TD, 1 INT, in debut W)
UCLA’s Chase Utley (5 Runs, 2 Hrs, 5 RBIs, 2 Sbs, .308 BA, Phillies 5 – 2 during stretch)