Who were the NFL's top stars in December and January? Each month the league unveils its honor roll. See who the Players of the Month are below.
AFC Offensive Player of the Month
Few teams finished the season playing better than the Jaguars, and few players are hitting the playoffs hotter than Lawrence. In quarterbacking the Jags to their current eight-game winning streak, Lawrence completed 105 of 165 passes (63.6 pct.) for 1,371 yards (274.2 per game), 13 touchdowns, just one interception and a 113.5 rating in five games in December and January. He added 124 rushing yards and four rushing scores, leading Jacksonville to a playoff berth and an AFC South title.
NFC Offensive Player of the Month
A day after he was lauded as the NFC Offensive Player of the Week, Stafford's MVP candidacy received another boost with another accolade. Over the final five games of the regular season, Stafford piled on the numbers through air. He averaged an eye-popping 326.8 passing yards per game, completing 122 of 196 passes (62.2%) for 1,634 yards, 14 touchdowns, four interceptions and a 104.0 rating. Stafford has thrown for multiple TDs in 11 consecutive games.
AFC Defensive Player of the Month
Though the Titans struggled through the 2025 season, Simmons was sensational. Over the final five games of the Pro Bowler's campaign, the defensive tackle posted 26 tackles with 4.5 sacks, seven tackles for loss, three pass breakups and two forced fumbles, confirming that he remains one of the best defensive linemen in the game.
NFC Defensive Player of the Month
Young reemerged in 2025 as a force off the edge and closed out the year in fine form for the Saints. In the last five weeks of play, Young had five sacks, 19 tackles, six tackles for loss, a pair of fumble recoveries -- including one he returned for a touchdown -- and a pass breakup. Young rediscovered the play that made him the No. 2 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.
AFC Special Teams Player of the Month
Duval's Little big leg, the Jaguars kicker has an absolutely stellar season that was accentuated by a perfect finish. After setting a new NFL record with a 68-yard field goal in November, Little almost matched his own record in the season finale with a 67-yarder that was a record for an outdoor make. All told, he scored 54 points over the the Jaguars' last five games, making each of his 21 extra points and his 11 field goals -- three of them from 50 yards or longer.
NFC Special Teams Player of the Month
A day after he was recognized with a spot on the Next Gen Stats All-Pro squad, Reichard garnered some more accolades. Down the stretch for Minnesota, Reichard was simply perfect as he piled up 48 points in five games, making 12 of 12 extra points and 12 of 12 field goals, including three from 50-plus yards.
Offensive Rookie of the Month
With Shough under center, the Saints won four of their last five games with their QB emerging as an Offensive Rookie of the Year contender and potentially solidifying the starting job going forward. In those final five games, Shough completed 114 of 163 passes (69.9%) for 1,316 yards (263.2 per game) with five touchdown passes to two interceptions and a 99.1 rating. A weapon on the ground, as well, Shough rushed for 135 yards in that span and added a ground TD.
Defensive Rookie of the Month
The first-rounder concluded a stellar rookie season with a flourish. Over Atlanta's last five games -- in which the Falcons went 4-1 -- Pearce posted 11 tackles, 5.5 sacks and four pass breakups. Pearce, who finished with 10.5 sacks on the season, had at least half a sack in all but one of Atlanta's last five games.
