The debate goes on about Chandler Jones' chances to win NFL Defensive Player of the Year, but there wasn't much debate that he should win this week's NFC Defensive Player of the Week.
The outside linebacker dominated in Seattle as the Cardinals came away with the 27-13 upset over the playoff-bound Seahawks, as he notched four sacks, forced two fumbles and made life miserable for Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson.
The effort gave him 19 sacks on the season and eight forced fumbles, putting him atop the NFL in both categories with one game remaining, and earned him the league award Friday morning.
"I try not to think about the numbers, I just play," Jones said.
It's the second time Jones has won the award this season, the first coming after his four-sack game in New York against the Giants in Week 7. He also won the NFC award in 2018 with the Cardinals, and once in the AFC when he was playing with the Patriots.
It's the second straight week a Cardinal won the NFC Defensive Player of the Week award. Patrick Peterson won it after the Cardinals beat the Browns. Earlier this season, quarterback Kyler Murray won the offensive award in Week 6. Kicker Zane Gonzalez was also named the NFC Special Teams Player of the Month for October.
He'd have a good chance to win a third time next week if he is able to have the kind of game that would allow him to break the NFL single-season record for sacks. Jones needs 3½ to tie Michael Strahan, who had 22½ in 2001. A third four-sack game this season would give Jones the record.
"A lot of guys have gotten close, so we'll see what happens," Jones said.
