suspension: new york giants key player has been suspended definitely his not playing till….

suspension: tommy devito has been suspended definitely his not playing till….

In what would have seemed unthinkable a month ago, the New York Giants’ Tommy DeVito and the New York Jets’ Zach Wilson were named offensive players of the week for the NFC and AFC, respectively, on Wednesday.

DeVito, whose unlikely rise and family ties to the New York/New Jersey area have quickly made him something of a folk hero, completed 81 percent of his passes for 158 yards and a touchdown and added 71 yards rushing to lead the Giants to a dramatic 24-22 win over the Green Bay Packers on Monday night.

Wilson completed 75% of his passes for 301 yards and two touchdowns in leading the Jets to a 30-6 victory over the Houston Texans in his first game back after a two-week absence.

There were no interceptions thrown by either player. Both had passer ratings of more than 110, which helped their teams improve to 5-8 and stay on the outskirts of the playoff race.

DeVito, who has led the Giants to three straight victories, is only the second undrafted rookie quarterback in over two decades to be named conference player of the week. DeVito, a native of New Jersey who still lives with his parents in a town less than a half-hour away from MetLife Stadium, has embraced his Italian American heritage in memorable ways.

“I know it’s probably not easy for him because he’s from around here,” Giants Coach Brian Daboll said after the win on Monday. “I’m kind of familiar with how that works. So you have a lot on your plate, and you have to keep the main thing, football, as the main thing. I’m very proud of him. He’s put in a lot of effort since he first arrived.”

Wilson was benched by the Jets last month after they were humiliated by the Buffalo Bills in favor of Tim Boyle. The unheralded journeyman started the next two games and demonstrated that he was even less prepared for an NFL field, prompting the Jets to return to Wilson, who had spent the majority of the season as the Jets’ starter after Aaron Rodgers suffered an Achilles’ tendon injury minutes into the season opener.

Wilson and Jets Coach Robert Saleh had to clarify to the press before making what turned out to be a triumphant return to action, following a report that the third-year quarterback was “reluctant” to play again this season. Wilson told reporters last Wednesday that the report had “absolutely” no substance, adding, “I love the guys in this locker room and I would do anything.” I believe that any opportunity to play on this field should be taken advantage of.”

One week later, Wilson, 24, has become the talk of his locker room. According to the NFL, the former No. 2 overall pick was the only player in Week 14 to throw for at least 300 yards with no interceptions.

DeVito was also honored by the NFL on Wednesday for being the only starter in NFL history to have a game with a completion percentage of at least 80.0, 70-plus rushing yards, no turnovers, and zero sacks taken. It was his and Wilson’s first player of the week award.

To add to the oddity of the double honor, Wilson and DeVito had played against each other earlier this season, with neither faring well. DeVito was barely allowed to do anything more than hand off in his first NFL game after Taylor was injured during the game, as Daboll tried to hold on to a three-point lead the Giants took early in the third quarter.

Wilson’s ineffectiveness nearly cost the ultraconservative strategy success. However, after Giants kicker Graham Gano missed a 35-yard field goal attempt with 28 seconds left in regulation, Wilson completed a pair of 29-yard passes to put his team in position for a tying field goal by Greg Zuerlein. A pass-interference penalty against the Giants in overtime resulted in a 30-yard gain for the Jets, allowing them to kick another field goal for an ugly win.