KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Chiefs defense took home its third AFC Defensive Player of the Week on the season.
Linebacker Tamba Hali earned the honor after a dominating performance of 3 ½ sacks and four tackles (three solo) in Week Six’s 24-7 win against the Oakland Raiders.
On the season, Hali has 7 ½ sacks, which ranks for third-most in the NFL. He also has has two forced fumbles, an interception and a defensive touchdown.
“We look at those awards as team awards,” Hali said during Wednesday’s locker room media session. “Our team is playing very well. Our defense is doing a great job in putting pressure on the quarterback and executing. If one of us stands out, we just give the credit back to the team and the defense for that.”
Hali joins teammate, linebacker Justin Houston, as the team’s defenders to receive the Defensive Player of the Week award.
Houston, who currently is tied for the league-lead with 9.5 sacks, won the award twice in September and was named the AFC Defensive Player of the Month.
Chiefs wide receiver/returner Dexter McCluster previously received league recognition in Week Four as the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week.