Safety Adrian Wilson collects the first of his two interceptions Sunday against the Rams.




Adrian Wilson said last week he was honored to be named a captain again this season, and it came from the respect his teammates had for him not only on the field but off.

Then he had a game like Sunday, which only reinforced the idea.

"When you have guys that do that … it's easy to point to it and say, 'Look, this is why,' " coach Ken Whisenhunt said. "This guy put the time in. He worked hard. He did this. That's great for our team to see, especially when you have so many young guys. I think we all know who Adrian Wilson is, his reputation, what type of player he is, but when he does what he did, it just goes to further solidify the legend of who he is."

Wilson's two interceptions, one sack and blocked field goal in a 17-13 win over the Rams earned him – as expected – the NFC's Defensive Player of the Week award Tuesday. Wilson was the first NFL player to have all three in a game since Carolina's Julius Peppers did in against Tampa Bay in 2004.

Wilson has 25 career interceptions, now sixth in franchise history, and 21½ sacks.

It's the fourth POW selection for Wilson since first getting the award back in 2002. He also won once in 2004 and again last season after a win over the Giants in New York. The four awards are the most in team history, breaking a tie he was in with former defensive backs Antrel Rolle and Aeneas Williams. Quarterback Kurt Warner (five) has the most in franchise history.

Wilson tends to downplay such things. Even on the subject of the defense stepping up to basically win the game for the Cards Sunday while the offense had its ups and downs, Wilson shook his head.

"We just go out and handle our business," Wilson said.