Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict today was named by the NFL the AFC Defensive Player of the Week.
In the team's 41-20 victory over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday at Paul Brown Stadium, Burfict recorded 18 tackles (15 solo) and one pass defensed, as well as one forced fumble which he recovered himself and returned 13 yards for a touchdown. His 18 total tackles against the Browns is the most by a Bengals player this season, topping the previous mark of 17 he set himself on Oct. 20 at Detroit.
Through 11 games, Burfict leads the team with 146 total tackles. He has led the team in tackles in eight of those games, and tied for the lead in another contest. On the season, Burfict also is tied for the team lead with two fumble recoveries, and he is tied for third on the team with seven passes defensed.
This is Burfict's first Player of the Week award. While he is the third Bengals player to earn the Player of the Week award in 2013, he is the first to win the defensive honor since DT Geno Atkins won the award for his performance in last season's Week 16 victory at Pittsburgh.
Also earning Player of the Week awards this season were QB Andy Dalton (Offense, Week 6 at Buffalo) and WR Marvin Jones (Offense, Week 8 vs. N.Y. Jets). Dalton also won the AFC Offensive Player of the Month Award for October.
