Kyle Orton awarded AFC Player of the Week

Denver Broncos starting quarterback Kyle Orton throws against the Kansas City Chiefs in the first quarter in their NFL football game in Denver November 14, 2010. (REUTERS/Rick Wilking)

The NFL has named Denver Broncos quarterback Kyle Orton AFC Player of the Week for games played in Week 10, the Broncos announced.  Orton threw a career-high four touchdowns and finished with a 131.5 passer rating in the Broncos’ 49-29 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs.

It’s the second such honor in Orton’s career, who previously won after the Broncos’ Week 5 comeback victory over the New England Patriots in 2009, in which Orton orchestrated a 98-yard game-tying drive before driving the Broncos for the game-winning field goal in overtime.

It’s further validation that Orton just might be the Broncos’ quarterback of the future.