Cardinals’ Chandler Jones named NFC Defensive Player of the Week

Sep 15, 2021, 6:07 AM | Updated: 6:18 am

Arizona Cardinals linebacker Chandler Jones (55) sacks Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) and forces a fumble that the Cardinals recovered in the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)

(AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)

BY ARIZONA SPORTS

Arizona Cardinals linebacker Chandler Jones was named NFC Defensive Player of the Week on Wednesday for Week 1 of the 2021 NFL season.

The Cardinals pass-rusher got the nod after Arizona’s 38-13 win in Tennessee against the Titans.

Jones had five sacks, three more than any other player recorded in the season’s opening week. That number was a new career high for Jones and also tied the franchise record set by former teammate Haason Reddick in 2020.

The honor for Jones is the fourth time he’s won it as a member of the Cardinals and the fifth time in his career. He’s now tied with Adrian Wilson for the most DPOW awards in team history.

The five sacks also put Jones over 100 for his career, all the way up to 102, making him the 57th player in league history to reach triple digits. He passed new teammate J.J. Watt on the all-time charts, who sits at 101.

And despite an impressive five-touchdown day from Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray, it was Los Angeles Rams signal caller Matthew Stafford who earned Offensive Player of the Week honors.

Arizona will look to continue its momentum from the strong start against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday at State Farm Stadium.

The first home game for the Cardinals of 2021 will take place at 1:05 p.m. and you can hear all the action on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station.

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Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray passes against the Tennessee Titans in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)

Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) passes against the Arizona Cardinals in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)

Arizona Cardinals kicker Matt Prater (5) kicks a 34-yard field goal against the Tennessee Titans in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) is pushed out of bounds by Tennessee Titans cornerback Jackrabbit Jenkins (20) in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) catches a touchdown pass as he is defended by Tennessee Titans cornerback Jackrabbit Jenkins (20) in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)

Arizona Cardinals defensive end J.J. Watt (99) celebrates after teammate Corey Peters, third from left, recovered a Tennessee Titans fumble in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) is congratulated by Demetrius Harris (86) after Hopkins scored a touchdown against the Tennessee Titans in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) is congratulated by tight end Maxx Williams (87) after Murray ran for a touchdown against the Tennessee Titans in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)

Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6) carries the ball against Tennessee Titans outside linebacker Bud Dupree (48) and cornerback Jackrabbit Jenkins (20) in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)

Tennessee Titans wide receiver A.J. Brown, center, is congratulated by tight end Geoff Swaim (87) after Brown scored a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals in the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Christian Kirk catches a 26-yard touchdown pass ahead of Tennessee Titans cornerback Elijah Molden (24) in the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Christian Kirk, left, celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Tennessee Titans in the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Christian Kirk celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Tennessee Titans in the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Rondale Moore (4) carries the ball against Tennessee Titans cornerback Kristian Fulton (26) in the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)

Arizona Cardinals linebacker Chandler Jones (55) sacks Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) in the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)

Arizona Cardinals linebacker Chandler Jones (55) sacks Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) and forces a fumble that the Cardinals recovered in the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)

Arizona Cardinals linebacker Chandler Jones (55) celebrates after sacking Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill in the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)

Tennessee Titans wide receiver Julio Jones (2) evades Arizona Cardinals middle linebacker Jordan Hicks (58) in the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)

Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) is sacked by Arizona Cardinals defensive end Michael Dogbe in the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)

Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)

Arizona Cardinals defensive end J.J. Watt waves to fans as he leaves the field following a win over the Tennessee Titans in an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)

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