Former Washington Huskies cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. got off to a rough start against the Green Bay Packers. In fact, the Minnesota Vikings nickel defender has struggled for most of the first month of the season.
He changed all of that within two defensive series in the Vikings’ 31-29 win over the Packers at Lambeau Field.
The Vikings were letting a 28-point lead slip away, and with six minutes left in the fourth quarter, quarterback Jordan Love sailed a pass to the end zone intended for wide receiver Jayden Reed, when Murphy came in and grabbed it from the wide receiver’s clutches.
Byron Murphy picks off Love, big takeaway for the @Vikings
📺: #MINvsGB on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/nKiTFkoqdP— NFL (@NFL) September 29, 2024
On the next defensive series, Packers tight end Tucker Kraft hauled in a pass from Love, only to have Murphy violently punch the ball out, and it was recovered by free safety Camryn Bynum, giving the former second round pick two forced turnovers in a span of three plays.
To help seal the Vikings’ 4-0 start and win over their divisional rival, Murphy also broke up a pass on fourth down intended for wide receiver Bo Melton.
The Scottsdale, Arizona native ended the day with 7 tackles and 2 pass break ups to go with the interception and forced fumble.