Denver Broncos safety Talanoa Hufanga had a great game against the Rams, and he deserved this award.
Denver Bronco safety Talanoa Hufanga won the Defensive Player of the Week award for his steller showing on Sunday night against the Los Angeles Rams, according to a report from Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk with the award reported by multiple other outlets.
Hufanga basically saved the Broncos’ bacon in the second half of Denver’s 30-26 win over the Los Angeles Rams. The Broncos got down 16-0 at the half, then roared back to tie the game, but the Rams took the lead by three points with under five minutes to play when Hufanga made his first interception.
It was a terrible throw by Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, but Hufanga made the play and took advantageof the green grass in front of him to run it in for a touchdown from 66 yards out and give Denver the lead.
That lead almost didn’t last, But Hufanga wasn't done yet. His second second pick was just as important, and it happened at the goal line with the Rams driving. The pick was a game-saving play that helped nail down the win.
Hufanga also had five tackles and a sack to go with the interception, and those stats were more in line with his reputation. He’s known as a hard-hitting safety who helps protect the middle of the field for Denver’s outstanding defense, and the safety is also considered a sure tackler for the few offensive players who do get to the second or third level against the Broncos.
The interceptions represent a big step forward in Hufanga’s game as a whole as well. The safety dropped multiple interceptions down the stretch last year, which caused coach Sean Payton to rail during those final games about the team’s lack of turnovers.
Hufanga has now delivered two of them, and it’s obvious the Denver coaching staff is continuing to show faith in the safety by putting him in position to have balls thrown his way.
The Denver secondary had an up-and-down game against the Rams as a whole, however, as Matthew Stafford put up some big stats. This week’s challenge will be against the San Francisco 49ers, with quarterback Brock Purdy yet to be sacked so far as the Niners have gone 3-0 to date.
It’s become clear that the defense will have to carry Denver going forward until the offense gets untracked, as the Broncos have struggled with poor first half performances so far.
