Oakland Raiders QB Bruce Gradkowski has been named the AFC Offensive Player of the Week for games played during Week 13 of the 2009 NFL Regular Season. The Pittsburgh-native led the Silver and Black to a 27-24 victory over the Steelers at Heinz Field in his hometown.
Gradkowski completed 20 of 33 pass attempts for 308 yards and three touchdowns during the stunning victory. He became the first Raiders quarterback to throw three touchdown passes in the fourth quarter since Ken Stabler accomplished the feat against the New Orleans Saints in 1979.
The fourth-year pro out of Toledo masterfully guided the Raiders offense down the field in 1:47 and connected with rookie WR Louis Murphy from 11 yards out for the game-winning touchdown pass with nine seconds left to play.
Gradkowski completed five passes during the game-winning drive – a 17-yarder to WR Johnnie Lee Higgins, a 12-yarder to WR Todd Watkins on 3rd and long for a first down, and three to Murphy (19, 23, 11).
During the Raiders' previous possession, he executed a play action fake on 3rd and 1 and threw a perfect strike to Murphy for a 75-yard catch and run for a touchdown. His touchdown pass to WR Chaz Schilens gave the Raiders their first lead of the day with 8:21 to play in the 4th quarter.
