A pair of takeaways powered an award-winning performance for Green Bay Packers safety Xavier McKinney in Week 5.
After recovering a fumble, intercepting a pass and disrupting two other passes against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium, McKinney was named the NFC Defensive Player of the Week for Week 5 of the 2024 season.
Both of McKinney’s takeaways led to touchdowns, helping the Packers erase a 13-10 halftime deficit and take a commanding 24-13 lead in the second half of Sunday’s win over the Rams.
McKinney has become a football magnet. He was in the right place at the right time to recover a fumble forced by Kingsley Enagbare, halting the Rams’ first drive of the third quarter. One possession later, he ranged to his right to intercept Matthew Stafford’s pressured overthrow.
In the first half, McKinney hit Tutu Atwell on a deep crosser and forced an incompletion. After his first interception, McKinney nearly had another on an errant pass from Stafford in the fourth quarter.
McKinney now has an NFL-high five interceptions and six takeaways through five weeks. Dating back to last season, McKinney has an interception in six straight games.
McKinney is the first Packers defender to win the award since cornerback Rasul Douglas during Week 12 of the 2021 season. McKinney previously won NFC Defensive Player of the Week after intercepting two passes against the Las Vegas Raiders during Week 9 of the 2021 season.
The Packers signed McKinney to a four-year, $67 million deal in free agency after his rookie deal with the New York Giants — who drafted him in the second round of the 2020 draft — expired.