After turning in one of the top statistical performances in NFL history, linebacker Wesley Woodyard has been named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week.
Against the Saints, Woodyard became just the ninth player since sacks began to be tracked in 1982 to record at least 10 tackles, one sack, one interception and one forced fumble in the same game.
He finished with a game-high 13 tackles, tying a career high. He set career marks in sack yards (12), interception return yards (8) and pass breakups (2), while matching career bests in tackles, interceptions, sacks and forced fumbles in Denver’s 34-14 win.
Woodyard is one of just two players in the league to tally 50 tackles, three sacks and two interceptions this season, and is the first Bronco in franchise history to reach 50 tackles and multiple sacks and interceptions by the midpoint of the season.
Through seven games, the fifth-year linebacker has already set several career highs for a single season. His three sacks, two interceptions and three pass breakups already represent single-season bests. His 58 tackles this season are the second most in his career.
Woodyard is one of just six undrafted players to win the AFC Defensive Player of the Week Awards since he entered the league in 2008.
The award is the first of Woodyard’s career and the second for a Broncos player this season (Tracy Porter, Week 1). Denver leads the AFC with four weekly conference honors this season (2 defensive, 1 offensive, 1 special teams). Overall, it marks the 24th time a Broncos player has earned the conference defensive player of the week.
See you DJ…. LOL.
DJ will finish out the year as a Bronco, he will just be second string.
Go WW!!!!
Rooting for the Chiefs tomorrow. If they win then SD is really fallen off. Thank you A.J. Smith
I never thought the Raiders would be our closest competition (if you can even call it that).
Yeah I really hope that Woodyard remains number one when DJ comes back. He really has earned it all season long.
You don’t have to hope. There is no way D.J. starts at WLB. Woodyard has it on lockdown.
Heck, even Tracy Porter is going to have a hard time getting his starter spot back after what Carter and Harris are doing. At least with these three they will push eachother and will all improve because of it.
With Mays out (get well soon Joe), undrafted Steven Johnson will see some snaps as Brookings backup in the middle. Not sure D.J. will compete here or not when he returns.
Alrght !! Way to go Wesley!! Keep up the great job !!
ILMSDB!!!!!!!
DJ is probably still the most talented linebacker we’ve got aside from Von Miller, and even then, D.J. is a more complete LB than Von right now. I wouldn’t be surprised if DJ took over the MLB position or if we ran an interesting hybrid of 3-4/4-3 where Von is half LB and half DE with Doomerville, Wolfe, and Vickerson as our down linemen.
one game at a time but our young players on D are looking like Vets
Just saw an interesting stat… In the 4th quarter this season we have 7 takeaways vs 2 turnovers.
Congrats W2! Way to earn (and lockdown) your starting spot.
Broncos Country Strong 2012!!!!
So Glad 2 See WW52 get some recognition… Always been a fan of his! I like DJ but hope he is a back up or learns MLB …. i think we would be beast on D if he picks up MLB and plays it well… nice combo … Von WW52 and DJ. Regardless… i hope he stays out of trouble or stays off our roster.
Food for thought…
Mike Tanier: “The Texans are the only team to gross more than 220 passing yards against the Broncos this season, which is remarkable for a team that has faced Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Ben Roethlisberger, Matt Ryan and Philip Rivers. Well, maybe not so remarkable when facing Philip Rivers these days.”
That is seriously impressive and there isn’t a QB left on Denver’s schedule that is in the same league as those QBs. Minus the NE and Houston games, Denver has played very well against the run as well.
“dgapinski says:
October 31, 2012 at 11:06 am
DJ is probably still the most talented linebacker we’ve got aside from Von Miller, and even then, D.J. is a more complete LB than Von right now. I wouldn’t be surprised if DJ took over the MLB position or if we ran an interesting hybrid of 3-4/4-3 where Von is half LB and half DE with Doomerville, Wolfe, and Vickerson as our down linemen.”
We do run a hybrid at times. You can count me as someone who would be absolutely astonished if D.J. started at MLB. I am practically speechless after reading that D.J. is a more complete player than Von Miller. I not only disagree but I don’t think D.J. is even in the same league as Von. D.J. has never been a “complete” player.
DJ isn’t even a complete human being.
I have never replied here. Read posts all the time, especially appriciate baylinorcrush’s comments for years. Anyway, I am stoked about Woodyard coming into his own, he really deserves it. As for DJ, probably won’t be a Bronco next year, but we will use him this year when he comes back. I believe he has played the MLB spot before and would be just fine there. Can’t say I will miss him when he is gone, but use his butt while we have him, with Brooking and Stevie Johnson as solid backup. Get Johnson more exposure and experience and I think he will turn into a solid MLB. Just my 2 cents. Fun to finally post on here.
Nice post Jared, haha, thank you, glad to have kept you entertained.
The recognition that needed to ethers anyway! Way to go, Wes!!!
What? Thea is NOT what I said. Try again: The recognition that was always needed anyway! Way to GO, WES!!!
yeah lets give it up for our special teams captain! He lucked out, He not a defensive starter, DJ is bigger faster stronger. Dj is the only mean player we have. Need the attitude, plus he has 200% more game experience of the 205 pound woodyard
I’ve been a Wesley fan since he was in high school. He’s a dynamic player, a great leader, and one of the finest young men I’ve ever known. He deserves every bit of the success he’s worked so hard for and earned!
Ha Ha, compare Woodyard to Dj. What a joke. Woodyard is a 200 pound special teams player. DJ is a 250 pound “real” LB.
biger faster stronger prevails here