Broncos’ McGahee earns weekly NFL rushing honor

Denver Broncos running back Willis McGahee (23) runs past Oakland Raiders linebacker Darryl Blackstock (56) on a 24-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter of an NFL football game in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 6, 2011. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

Speaking of Mile High Salutes… the Broncos issued the following press release. Way to go Willis McGahee!

WILLIS McGAHEE NAMED FedEx GROUND NFL PLAYER OF THE WEEK

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Denver Broncos running back Willis McGahee was named FedEx Ground NFL Player of the Week Friday for his performance in Denver’s 38-24 win against Oakland on Sunday.

McGahee rushed for 163 yards—four yards shy of his career-high—on 20 carries (8.2 avg.) with two touchdowns against the Raiders to help Denver generate 299 rushing yards to represent the fourth-highest single-game total in franchise history.

His 163 rushing yards, which led all NFL players in Week 9, marked the most by a Broncos player since running back Reuben Droughns had 166 yards at New Orleans on Nov. 21, 2004.

Since McGahee became Denver’s starting running back in Week 2, he leads all NFL players with 103.3 rushing yards per start and has posted 100 yards rushing in 4-of-6 games played.

McGahee is the sixth player in Broncos history to win the FedEx Ground NFL Player of the Week award and the first since running back Correll Buckhalter received the honor in 2009 (Week 13).