Cardinals’ Dwight Freeney named Defensive Player of the Week

Dec 30, 2015, 8:13 AM

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) is sacked by Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Dwight Freeney during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

BY ARIZONA SPORTS

Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Dwight Freeney has been named the NFC Defensive Player of the Week after a monster game against the Green Bay Packers last Sunday.

The 14-year veteran had three quarterback sacks in the Cardinals’ 38-8 win at University of Phoenix Stadium. His second sack against Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers forced a fumble that was picked up by Jerraud Powers and returned for a touchdown in the third quarter.

This the sixth time Freeney has won a Defensive Player of the Week Award and the first time it’s come in the NFC. He won the first five weekly honors as a member of the Indianapolis Colts.

Freeney’s outburst was part of a nine-sack game for the Cardinals — the most they’ve had in a contest since the 1986 season.

The 35-year-old leads Arizona in sacks with seven, despite not playing in the first five games of the season. Freeney was signed by the Cardinals in mid-October.

He becomes the sixth different Cardinals player to win an NFC weekly award this season, and the third defensive player to do so. Safety Deone Bucannon won the honor in Week 15 while safety Tyrann Mathieu took home the award in Week 3.

Follow @AZSports

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) is sacked by Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Alex Okafor (57) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

An Arizona Cardinals fan cheers during the second half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) sits on the bench during the second half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals defensive end Calais Campbell (93) signals safety after a sack in the end zone against the Green Bay Packers during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals defensive end Cory Redding (90) runs in a fumble recovery for a touchdown as Green Bay Packers running back Eddie Lacy (27) falls to the turf during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Green Bay Packers wide receiver James Jones (89) can't make the catch as Arizona Cardinals cornerback Justin Bethel (28) defends during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) is sacked by Arizona Cardinals inside linebacker Dwight Freeney during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Green Bay Packers fans watch during the second half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals fans cheer during the second half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) throws under pressure from Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Markus Golden (44) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Singers Gwen Stephani and Blake Shelton stand on the sidelines prior to an NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) scrambles as Arizona Cardinals defensive end Calais Campbell (93) pursues during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Davante Adams (17) makes the catch as Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson (21) defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) is tripped up by Green Bay Packers defensive end Mike Pennel (64) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) scrambles against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson (31) is tripped up by Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Jake Ryan (47) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) points to wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) after a touchdown catch during the first half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson (31) runs after the catch as Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Jake Ryan (47) defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) makes a touchdown catch as Green Bay Packers linebacker Joe Thomas (48) defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) celebrates after making a touchdown catch as Green Bay Packers linebacker Joe Thomas (48) sits on the turf during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) throws against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Green Bay Packers running back Eddie Lacy (27) is tackled by Arizona Cardinals defensive end Calais Campbell (93) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Green Bay Packers defensive end Mike Daniels (76) runs back an interception as Arizona Cardinals tackle Bobby Massie (70) defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver John Brown (12) celebrates his touchdown with teammate Larry Fitzgerald during the first half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) looks to throw against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Cardinals defensive back D.J. Swearinger (36), bottom, forces Green Bay Packers running back James Starks (44) to fumble during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Green Bay Packers punter Tim Masthay (8) runs the football after a fake punt as cornerback Chris Banjo (32) defends during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Floyd (15) makes a catch as Green Bay Packers cornerback Quinten Rollins (24) defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals kicker Chandler Catanzaro (7) kicks a field goals as Drew Butler (2) holds during the first half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Green Bay Packers wide receiver James Jones (89) makes a catch as Arizona Cardinals cornerback Justin Bethel (28) defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Floyd (15) makes a catch as Green Bay Packers cornerback Damarious Randall (23) defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Cardinals defensive end Calais Campbell (93) celebrates a defensive stop against the Green Bay Packers during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson (31) is stopped at the goal line by Green Bay Packers strong safety Morgan Burnett (42) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson (31) tries to elude Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Jake Ryan (47) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals cornerback Justin Bethel (28) intercepts a pass intended for Green Bay Packers wide receiver James Jones (89) in the end zone during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver John Brown (12) scores a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.