Cardinals’ Mathieu named NFC Defensive Player of the Week

Sep 30, 2015, 7:07 AM

Arizona Cardinals free safety Tyrann Mathieu (32) against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

BY ARIZONA SPORTS

Arizona Cardinals safety Tyrann Mathieu was named the NFC Defensive Player of the Week for his Week 3 performance in a 47-7 win over the San Francisco 49ers.

Mathieu intercepted two Colin Kaepernick passes, including one he returned for a touchdown in the first quarter to extend Arizona’s lead to 14-0 just six minutes into the game.

This marks the first time the third-year player has won the award. He’s the 26th different Cardinals player to earn Defensive Player of the Week honors.

On the season, Mathieu has 17 total tackles, good for second-most on the team.

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Arizona Cardinals free safety Tyrann Mathieu (32) runs back an interception as San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde (28) defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson is hit by San Francisco 49ers free safety Eric Reid (35) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Markus Golden (44) celebrates his sack of San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

The San Francisco 49ers and the Arizona Cardinals are separated by the referees during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde (28) is tackled in the end zone for a safety by Arizona Cardinals strong safety Deone Bucannon (20) and Kevin Minter, bottom, during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde (28) is hit by Arizona Cardinals strong safety Deone Bucannon (20) and Calais Campbell during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Floyd (15) is tackled by San Francisco 49ers cornerback Kenneth Acker during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

San Francisco 49ers fans react during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals defensive end Calais Campbell (93) signals safety during the second half of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) looks to pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals cornerback Jerraud Powers (25) intercepts a pass intended for Torrey Smith (82) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals tight end Jermaine Gresham (84) is hit by San Francisco 49ers inside linebacker NaVorro Bowman (53) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals running back Chris Johnson (23) celebrates a run against the San Francisco 49ers during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) celebrates his touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) scores a touchdown as San Francisco 49ers strong safety Jaquiski Tartt (29) defends during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) throws against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Cardinals running back Chris Johnson (23) celebrates his touchdown run against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals free safety Tyrann Mathieu (32) celebrates his second interception of the game against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) scores a running touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Floyd (15) makes a catch as San Francisco 49ers strong safety Antoine Bethea (41) defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) runs after the catch as San Francisco 49ers inside linebacker Michael Wilhoite (57) defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals running back Chris Johnson (23) scores as San Francisco 49ers inside linebacker Michael Wilhoite (57) defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Floyd (15) can't make stye catch as San Francisco 49ers cornerback Kenneth Acker (20) defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver John Brown (12) can't make the catch as San Francisco 49ers cornerback Kenneth Acker (20) defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals free safety Tyrann Mathieu (32) intercepts a pass for a touchdown as San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Anquan Boldin (81) misses the catch during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) throws under pressure from San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Ahmad Brooks (55) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Cardinals running back Chris Johnson (23) scores a touchdown as San Francisco 49ers inside linebacker Michael Wilhoite (57) blocked by Cardinals' Ted Larsen, left, during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals cornerback Justin Bethel (28) celebrates his interception for a touchdown with Tyrann Mathieu (32) and Calais Campbell (93) against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals fans cheer during the first half of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde (28) runs against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

San Francisco 49ers fans cheer during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) throws against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game against the, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals cornerback Justin Bethel (28) runs back an interception for a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of an NFL football game against the, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) throws against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of an NFL football game against the, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals free safety Tyrann Mathieu crosses the goal line after an interception for a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of an NFL football game against the, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals free safety Tyrann Mathieu (32) celebrates his interception for a touchdown with teammates against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of an NFL football game against the, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) takes the field with Blaine Gabbert (2) prior to an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

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