NFL EUROPE

• Saints duo RB Branch & LB Rabe highlight weekly honors

  
  

  (Courtesy of NFL Europe)

  New York, NY (Sports Network) - A pair of New Orleans Saints, running back JAMAAL BRANCH and linebacker RUSSELL RABE, along with Oakland Raiders punter GLEN PAKULAK, are the NFL Europe League Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week for games played the ninth week of the season (May 14), the league announced today.

  In helping the Cologne Centurions defeat the Berlin Thunder 25-7, Branch rushed for 124 yards on 26 carries, including a 26-yard touchdown run midway through the first quarter.

  "It felt great to help the team out," said Branch. "Im glad I got to run behind our offensive line because they made my job a lot easier."

  Rabe led the way for the Hamburg Sea Devils defense, which limited the Rhein Fire to 10 points and 194 total yards in their 13-10 victory. The University of Minnesota-Duluth product registered six tackles, including 2.0 sacks totaling losses of 18 yards.

  The linebacker is currently among NFL Europe League leaders with 4.0 sacks on the season.

  In the Amsterdam Admirals 17-12 victory over the Frankfurt Galaxy Pakulak, punted seven times for a 45.3-yard average with a long of 59 yards. He helped the Admirals win the field position battle and ultimately earn a spot in YELLO STROM WORLD BOWL XIV, landing three punts inside the Galaxys 20-yard line.

  Pakulak leads NFL Europe with a 42.2 yard average this season.

  Hamburg wide receiver SCOTT MC CREADY picked up his third National Player of the Week honor of the season after catching an eight-yard, game-winning touchdown from Miami Dolphins quarterback BROCK BERLIN. The Englishman finished the game with a team-high eight receptions for 87 yards.

  "Anytime you are rewarded for your performance its great, but the credit has to go to our entire offense," said McCready.

  05/16 15:24:13 ET