Broncos safety Kareem Jackson honored for his big game on Sunday
Dec 11, 2019, 6:59 AM | Updated: 10:40 am
Denver Broncos safety Kareem Jackson was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week for his performance in Denver’s 38-24 win against the Houston Texans, the NFL announced on Wednesday. This marks the first conference recognition of Jackson’s career. He also is the first Bronco to be named AFC Defensive Player of the Week since outside linebacker Von Miller in 2018 (Week 11).
The honor has to be particularly sweet for Jackson, given that he earned it in what amounted to a “revenge” game for the safety. Sunday’s game against the Texans clearly had been circled on the calendar since the Broncos schedule was released last April.
Returning to Houston, where he spent his first nine NFL seasons, Jackson in Week 14 totaled 11 tackles, one interception, three passes defensed and a fumble returned 70 yards for a touchdown. He became just the third player in NFL history with at least 10 tackles, a fumble returned for a touchdown and an interception in a single game, joining Brian Urlacher (2011) and Fred Weary (1999).
“It was real special, especially when we got the guys kind of rallying behind me like that,” Jackson said about returning to play the Texans. “But for me, I wanted to treat it as another game on the schedule. I didn’t want to make it all about me and my return here.”
That might have been his approach, but clearly it wasn’t just another game for Jackson. He played at a higher level against the Texans, something the NFL hardware proves.
Jackson’s 11 tackles against Houston equaled his career high and tied for fifth among all AFC players in Week 14 (tied for most among AFC defensive backs).
Overall, Jackson’s honor represents the 34th time a Broncos player has been named AFC Defensive Player of the Week since the award was initiated by the NFL in 1984.
