TJ Ward wins AFC Defensive Player of the Week

[VonDoom]

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — For the first time in his six-season career, safety T.J. Ward has been named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week for his performance in Denver’s 23-20 win over the Minnesota Vikings.

Against the Vikings, Ward totaled six solo tackles, a career-high two sacks (18 yds.) and one forced fumble. His strip-sack of quarterback Teddy Bridgewater with 0:35 remaining led to a Broncos recovery and sealed Denver’s fourth consecutive win.

Ward joined safety John Lynch (at S.D., 12/31/05) as the only defensive backs in Broncos history to record two sacks and a forced fumble in the same game. He also became just the third NFL safety in the last five years to accomplish that feat.

This marks the 29th time a Broncos player has taken home AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors since the award was initiated by the NFL in 1984. In Week 1, cornerback Aqib Talib was selected with the same honor.

http://www.denverbroncos.com/news-and-blogs/article-1/TJ-Ward-named-AFC-Defensive-Player-of-the-Week/5a541677-f743-4ea7-8be1-4826e09d3394

So, Talib wins this award in week one, Ward wins it in week four and Ware was defensive player of the month. Hey, you think we're pretty good on defense?

[Northman]

Much deserved

https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/p720x720/12122388_10153712357641318_7193193497379825160_n.j pg?oh=28b608374ab180a357cf64f9b23300c7&oe=5696E80E

[Davii]

http://www.denverbroncos.com/news-and-blogs/article-1/TJ-Ward-named-AFC-Defensive-Player-of-the-Week/5a541677-f743-4ea7-8be1-4826e09d3394

So, Talib wins this award in week one, Ward wins it in week four and Ware was defensive player of the month. Hey, you think we're pretty good on defense?

So far so good. I hope they can keep this pace and level of play throughout the entire season and playoffs. If so, we just might have a shot at this thing this year.

[EastCoastBronco]

So far so good. I hope they can keep this pace and level of play throughout the entire season and playoffs. If so, we just might have a shot at this thing this year.

Green Bay, New England and Cinnci will be the litmus test of this team.
If we can play mediocre offence like we have been and still win or keep it close against these guys with the defence then yes, we have a shot.

[Davii]

Green Bay, New England and Cinnci will be the litmus test of this team.
If we can play mediocre offence like we have been and still win or keep it close against these guys with the defence then yes, we have a shot.

****New England is more a test of counter intelligence than a litmus test on football skills. How are they cheating this year, that's the question.

[VonDoom]

Green Bay, New England and Cinnci will be the litmus test of this team.
If we can play mediocre offence like we have been and still win or keep it close against these guys with the defence then yes, we have a shot.

Yeah, ideally we'd be 6-0 at the bye week, because the second half of our schedule is pretty tough. Hopefully the offense will continue to improve. I'd add Pittsburgh in as a litmus test for us as well - we play them in week 15, right before the Bengals. Those two back to back will tell us a lot about what we'll be like in the playoffs (assuming we make it).

[EastCoastBronco]

****New England is more a test of counter intelligence than a litmus test on football skills. How are they cheating this year, that's the question.

At least we play the cheating ******** in Mile High this year.
They don't like coming here.

[Davii]

At least we playing the cheating ******** in Mile High this year.
They don't like coming here.

I bet there are no headset issues during the game.

[TXBRONC]

http://www.denverbroncos.com/news-and-blogs/article-1/TJ-Ward-named-AFC-Defensive-Player-of-the-Week/5a541677-f743-4ea7-8be1-4826e09d3394

So, Talib wins this award in week one, Ward wins it in week four and Ware was defensive player of the month. Hey, you think we're pretty good on defense?

IDK it's kind of iffy actually that's what fans of opposing teams want to think. :wink:

On a serious note, absolutely.

[VonDoom]

Denver Broncos ‏@Broncos 2m2 minutes ago

.@BossWard43: "Coach Wade is putting great game plans together and using me how I should be used."

:beer: :defense:

[DenBronx]

Patriots
New England
Tom Brady
Belichick
Bag of dicks

[DenBronx]

Just trying that out. Why isn't there asterisks next to all of that? I thought we voted?

[dogfish]

I bet there are no headset issues during the game.

bonus-- not having to sweep your own locker room for bugs. . .

[Denver Native (Carol)]

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- With every game he plays, T.J. Ward becomes more and more the Swiss Army knife of the Broncos defense.

Drop into deep coverage? Check.

Blitz off the edge? Check, and double check, because it was his two sacks on blitzes Sunday that made him the AFC's Defensive Player of the Week.

A delayed blitz up an A- or B-gap? Check.

Short coverage on a tight end in the flat? Check; he helped neutralize Minnesota tight end Kyle Rudolph.

Line up in the slot against a tight end or a big wide receiver? Check.

Attack the run from the box? Few safeties have done it better in recent years, and that's one of the reasons why the Broncos targeted him in free agency 19 months ago.

Ward handled all of those responsibilities on the first two plays against the Minnesota Vikings last Sunday.

rest - http://www.denverbroncos.com/news-and-blogs/article-1/Whatever-you-ask-TJ-Ward-delivers/8ea7807e-f79e-4938-974d-5a7c83507acf

[TXBRONC]

bonus-- not having to sweep your own locker room for bugs. . .

No kidding.