For the first time since Weeks 2-3 of 2019, the Houston Texans have had players win consecutive AFC player of the week awards.
Cornerback Tavierre Thomas was named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week for Week 16 following the Texans’ 41-29 win over the Los Angeles Chargers Sunday afternoon at NRG Stadium.
Thomas collected a 48-yard interception return for a touchdown that helped the seal the victory for Houston in the fourth quarter. Thomas also tallied eight tackles, six of them solo, with one pass breakup.
For the week, Thomas, was the only AFC player with at least eight tackles and a pick. Next Gen Stats recorded Thomas as allowing a 37.5 passer rating on five targets, the third-best in the conference for the week.
Thomas winning the award is the 51st time in team history that a player has been named player of the week, and the 18th time in team history a player has garnered defensive player of the week. Last week, cornerback Tremon Smith earned AFC Special Teams Player of the Week following his kickoff returned for a touchdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars.