Tracy Porter made a splash in his Broncos debut, and on Wednesday the NFL named him the AFC Defensive Player of the Week for his effort.
In his first game as a Bronco, Porter sealed the team’s opening-night victory with a 43-yard interception return for a touchdown late in the fourth quarter. The play marked his third career game-sealing interceptions returned for a touchdown with all three of those plays occurring with less than 3:30 left in the fourth quarter with his team up by one score or less.
Porter also broke up five passes on the night to tie for his career high and match the second most in team history.
His eight tackles ranked second on the team and Porter became just the 4th player since 1994 to record at least eight tackles, five passes defensed and an interception return for a touchdown in a single game according to press box totals.
“That’s the nature of the position,” Porter said after the game. “We’re going to have pressure moments like that. It’s all about how you compose yourself, maintain your technique and maintain your assignment. Once the ball comes your way, you’ve got to make a play on the ball.”
The award is the first of Porter’s career and the first for a Broncos player since Von Miller earned the honor in Week 11 of the 2011 season. It is the 23rd such award in the team’s history.
-Stuart Zaas
