Tag: NFC Defensive Player of the Week

49ers 1st NFC Defensive Player of the Week is major surprise

Yetur Gross-Matos was awarded for his monster game vs. the Bears.

The San Francisco 49ers for the first time this season have the NFC Defensive Player of the Week, and it came via an unlikely source.

On a defense littered with stars like Nick Bosa, Fred Warner, Javon Hargrave, Deommodore Lenoir, Charvarius Ward and Talanoa Hufanga, it was offseason addition Yetur Gross-Matos who earned the defense’s first NFC Defensive Player of the Week award of the 2024 campaign.

Gross-Matos earned the nod after notching three sacks in San Francisco’s 38-13 blowout win over the Chicago Bears.

It was a glimpse into what the 49ers were hoping to get when they signed Gross-Matos to a two-year, $18 million contract in the offseason. A knee injury in the preseason derailed the first part of his year as he tried to play through the ailment before eventually landing on IR.

Prior to his IR stint, Gross-Matos had one tackle and one quarterback hit through three games. Since returning, he has 4.0 sacks and 14 tackles, five tackles for loss and five quarterback hits in four games.

The 49ers pass rush has really struggled this season, particularly with DE Nick Bosa absent because of hip and oblique injuries. If Gross-Matos continues ascending the way he has over the last four games he could become an important player for the 49ers beyond the 2024 campaign.

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Seahawks S Coby Bryant wins NFC Defensive Player of the Week

Seahawks S Coby Bryant wins NFC Defensive Player of the Week

It has been a big week for Seattle Seahawks starting safety Coby Bryant, who made the game-defining play in Seattle’s Week 12 victory over the Arizona Cardinals. Leading only 7-3 in the third quarter, the Seahawks made a crucial stop on 4th-and-1 against the Cards.

Quarterback Kyler Murray rolled out to his right, being chased down by Seattle defenders, and sailed the ball well out of reach of his intended receiver. It fell into the waiting arms of Bryant, who promptly returned it 69 yards for a touchdown to help the Seahawks go up by 10. It proved to be an insurmountable lead for Arizona.

For Bryant’s efforts in the victory, he rightfully earned NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors for Week 12! Only fitting in the 12th week of the season it was a Seahawk who earned this award for a performance in front of the 12th Man.

Overall, Bryant finished the eventual 16-6 win with six total tackles, all of which were solo. I’d say he was more than qualified to become the NFC Defensive Player of the Week.

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Raiders help another opponent win Defensive Player of the Week award

For the second time in three games, we have a Defensive Player of the Week winner after facing the Raiders. This time Rams CB Cobie Durant.

It’s long been said that facing the Raiders is the cure for what ails you. In some cases this season, it has led to awards. We are now at two times in the past three weeks it has happened.

This week’s NFC Defensive Player of the Week is Rams CB Cobie Durant.

Two weeks ago it was Broncos’ Pat Surtain who won it after he had two interceptions against the Raiders including a 100-yard pick six.

Just like Surtain, Durant was either responsible or the recipient on two of the Raiders turnovers in Sunday’s loss. On leading to a defensive touchdown.

Durant’s first play was breaking up a pass for Brock Bowers to end the Raiders first scoring drive and they settled for a field goal.

Later in the second quarter, he made the first interception of the game, giving the Rams the ball at the Vegas 47 and leading to the first touchdown.

Not four minutes later, he shot up the middle unblocked on the blitz and hit Gardner Minshew as he attempted to throw, knocking the ball out. It was then picked up by Kam Curl and returned for the second touchdown of the game.

And suddenly what was a 3-0 Raiders lead, was not a 14-3 Rams lead.

Brian Branch named NFC Defensive Player of the Week

Brian Branch named NFC Defensive Player of the Week for his Week 6 performance against the Cowboys

For the second Detroit game in a row, a Lions player has earned the NFC Player of the Week honor for his performance in a win.

Brian Branch earned the NFC Defensive Player of the Week award from the NFL for his dominant play in Detroit’s 47-9 walloping of the Dallas Cowboys in Week 6. Branch picked off two passes and forced a fumble in the Lions huge win.

He joins Jared Goff, who captured the NFC Offensive Player of the Week honor in the Week 4 win over Seattle. This is Branch’s first time being honored.

Packers S Xavier McKinney named NFC Defensive Player of the Week for Week 5

After recovering a fumble, intercepting a pass and disrupting two other passes against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium, Xavier McKinney was named the NFC Defensive Player of the Week for Week 5 of the 2024 season. 

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.

Falcons linebacker named NFC Defensive Player of the Week

Falcons linebacker Troy Andersen wins NFC Defensive Player of the Week after dominant performance vs. Saints

Atlanta Falcons linebacker Troy Andersen has been named NFC Defensive Player of the Week for his dominant performance in Sunday’s 26-24 win over the New Orleans Saints.

Andersen had arguably the best game of his young career, racking up 17 tackles (10 solo), an interception and a touchdown to help the team escape with a two-point victory. The third-year linebacker’s pick-six was an impressive display of his instincts and athleticism.

Matthew Judon tipped a first-half Derek Carr pass into the air and Andersen came down with it before outrunning every Saints player in sight for the score.

While Andersen’s Week 4 performance was a great sign for the former second-round pick, his status for Thursday night’s game against the Buccaneers is in doubt. Andersen suffered a knee injury in the fourth quarter and did not return.

The Falcons opted not to place the young linebacker on the injured reserve list, but he has yet to practice this week. If Andersen can’t play on Thursday, rookie fifth-round pick JD Bertrand will get the start.

Thus far in 2024, Andersen has 44 tackles (26 solo), one interception and one defensive touchdown.

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Falcons safety wins NFC Defensive Player of the Week

Falcons safety Jessie Bates has been awarded NFC Defensive Player of the Week..

Falcons safety Jessie Bates III has been an incredible addition since signing in Atlanta during the 2023 free-agency period. In his first season, Bates led the team with six interceptions and he’s off to another promising start in 2024.

The Falcons defeated the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 2 thanks to some fourth-quarter heroics from two team captains. Quarterback Kirk Cousins threw a go-ahead touchdown with 34 seconds left and then Bates clinched the game with his interception of Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts.

Bates has been awarded NFC Defensive Player of the Week for his herculean effort. 

https://twitter.com/AtlantaFalcons/status/1836435062612480397

In Week 2, Bates finished with a team-high 12 tackles (seven solo), two passed defended, one tackle for loss and one interception against the Eagles. The 27-year-old is in his physical prime and playing some of the best football of his entire career. 

In 19 games with the Falcons, Bates has racked up 150 combined tackles, seven interceptions, 13 passes defended, one defensive touchdown and one safety. However, Atlanta’s secondary will be tested when the Kansas City Chiefs come to town in Week 3.

Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and the team’s young playmakers present a tough challenge for the entire Falcons defense. Bates and backfield mate Justin Simmons need to play their absolute best for Atlanta to have a chance on Sunday night football.

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Antoine Winfield Jr. wins NFC Defensive Player of the Month

No snubs for this award for Antoine Winfield Jr.

The accolades have been pouring in for safety [autotag]Antoine Winfield Jr.[/autotag]

The Bucs safety has had a monster of a month and has already won NFC Player of the Week for Week 18 against the Carolina Panthers. Now, he’s been named the NFC Defensive Player of the Month for his efforts in the month of December. Winfield Jr. is the first Bucs defensive back to ever win the honor.

Winfield Jr. netted 41 tackles, four sacks, four passes defended, three forced fumbles, two picks and a fumble recovery in the month of December. The award is one of a number he has received, going from that player of the week award to Good Morning Football’s best NFL DB for the 2023 season.

Winfield Jr. was notably snubbed from the Pro Bowl Games for 2024, but he has the chance to win a First Team All-Pro nod for the 2023 season when those ballots come out on Friday.

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Bucs S Antoine Winfield Jr. named NFC Defensive Player of the Week

Antoine Winfield Jr. has won the award twice this season, both times after playing the Carolina Panthers.

The accolades keep coming in for Antoine Winfield Jr.

The Bucs safety has been arguably the best safety in the league this year, and he has another accolade to prove it. Winfield Jr. was named the NFC Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts against the Carolina Panthers, his second such award so far this year. He previously won the award in Week 13, which was also against the Carolina Panthers.

Winfield Jr. was certainly deserving. He put in a great shift against the Panthers in Charlotte, netting a punch-out that saved a touchdown and a sack that pushed an impending Carolina field goal back — one it would end up missing. On top of that, he finished the game with five combined tackles.

With his December, it’s also likely that Winfield Jr. will be a strong candidate for NFC Defensive Player of the Month, which will be revealed soon as well.

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Lions safety Ifeatu Melifonwu wins NFC Defensive Player of the Week for Week 16

Lions safety Ifeatu Melifonwu wins NFC Defensive Player of the Week for Week 16

Congratulations are in order for Lions safety Ifratu Melifonwu The young DB is the NFC Defensive Player of the Week for his outstanding performance in Detroit’s 30-24 win over the Minnesota Vikings.

Melifonwu registered five total tackles, two sacks and a game-sealing interception in Detroit’s Week 16 victory in Minnesota. It was an amazing game in just his third start for Melifonwu. He’s come alive as an agent of aggression in Aaron Glenn’s defense and has helped lead the Lions to victories in the last two games.

It’s ht first time Melifonwu has won the award, and he’s the first Lions player to win the award in 2023.