In the 2024 season, the Detroit Lions have already had an Offensive, Defensive, and Special Teams Player of the Week.
Back in Week 3, Detroit Lions punter Jack Fox won NFC Special Teams Player of the Week for his ridiculous punting performance against the Arizona Cardinals. The following game, it was Jared Goff’s turn to earn weekly honors, earning NFC Offensive Player of the Week for his “perfect” game against the Seattle Seahawks.
Week 5 was Detroit’s bye, but as soon as they returned to the field in Week 6, it was time for another weekly award. This time, it’s safety Brian Branch walking away as the NFC Defensive Player of the Year award.
Against the Dallas Cowboys, Branch tallied two interceptions, a forced fumble, a quarterback hit, and six tackles. His first interception—the one below—was not only impressive, but it took away an early scoring opportunity for the Cowboys when the game was still close.
BB picks it off in the end zone‼️#DETvsDAL | FOX pic.twitter.com/stwYpn6esh
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) October 13, 2024
This is the first time Branch has ever won the award, and it’s the first time a Lions defensive back has earned those honors since Week 16 of the 2023 season, when Ifeatu Melifonwu was named NFC Defensive Player of the Week after his NFC North-clinching performance against the Vikings.
It’s pretty impressive that the Lions have now hit the cycle in weekly awards. They’ve already notched Offensive, Defensive, and Special Teams Player of the Week honors just five games into the season. On top of that, Aidan Hutchinson was also named NFC Defensive Player of the Month for September.
This is just more confirmation that Detroit’s roster runs deep, and they’re strong in all three phases of the game.