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Denzel Perryman named AFC Defensive Player of the Week

By Travis Wakeman

Oct 23, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; San Diego Chargers outside linebacker Kyle Emanuel (51) and inside linebacker Denzel Perryman (52) and outside linebacker Melvin Ingram (54) celebrate a defensive stop of the Atlanta Falcons in overtime of their game at the Georgia Dome. The Chargers won 33-30 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 23, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; San Diego Chargers outside linebacker Kyle Emanuel (51) and inside linebacker Denzel Perryman (52) and outside linebacker Melvin Ingram (54) celebrate a defensive stop of the Atlanta Falcons in overtime of their game at the Georgia Dome. The Chargers won 33-30 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /
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It was announced by the NFL on Wednesday that linebacker Denzel Perryman has been chosen as the AFC Defensive Player of the Week following his efforts in the San Diego Chargers‘ win over the Atlanta Falcons last Sunday.

Denzel Perryman is the 1st Chargers LB to win a Defensive Player of the Week award since 2012 (Donald Butler) pic.twitter.com/PJaYpuR3cF

— Randall Liu (@RLiuNFL) October 26, 2016

Not only was Perryman instrumental in the overtime win, it’s doubtful that the Chargers would have won the game without what he gave them.

Perryman had seven tackles in the game, including a huge stop of Devontae Freeman on 4th-and-1 in overtime. That play allowed the Chargers to take possession and move into position for the game-winning field goal.

But Perryman made an even bigger play in regulation. With less than three minutes to play, he intercepted a pass thrown by Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan, a play that may turn the season around for San Diego. The Chargers then went down the field for the tying field goal that ended up forcing overtime.

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If Ryan completes that pass, things are a lot different. The Chargers likely lose that game and fall to 2-5 on the season, making for a much different scenario for the team heading into Denver in Week 8.

Perryman did all this with an injured shoulder.

“I just stuck it out. I told coach I was going to give it everything I’ve got.  I told these guys I was going to give it everything I’ve got.  They did a good job making sure I was staying positive and wasn’t too down on myself because of the injury.  I thank these guys for helping me out”, Perryman told Hayley Elwood of the team’s official website.

Joey Bosa heaped praise on the second-year linebacker as well. “Big time players make big time plays in big time games and I can’t say enough about him”, said Bosa.

On the year, Perryman has made 32 tackles to go along with one sack and the interception. He plays like a guy who has been doing it for much more than two seasons, and he is becoming one of the more integral parts of the team.

Good on the NFL for recognizing the efforts of this great young player.

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