Patriots rookie Laurence Maroney was named AFC Special Teams player of the week for week 7.

Maroney's dazzling 74-yard kickoff return in the first quarter against Buffalo was the longest kickoff return in the week in the AFC and the longest non-touchdown scoring return in the NFL this season.

Maroney leads all rookie kickoff returners, with an average of 27.9 yards; that mark is third in the league.

This is the second time this season the former Minnesota standout has been honored -- after the Cincinnati game, when he gained 125 yards rushing and had two TDs, Maroney was named Diet Pepsi rookie of the week.