Za'Darius Smith named NFC Defensive Player of the Week and Month

MINNEAPOLIS -- Vikings pass rusher Za'Darius Smith has earned a pair of defensive player awards for this performance so far this year, and he's making his case for a Comeback Player of the Year award at the end of the season.

Smith leads the league in both sacks and tackles for loss, and his performance in Sunday's win over the Cardinals boosted both of those figures. Smith's three sacks and four tackles for loss earned him the NFC Defensive Player of the Week award. On the season, he has 8.5 sacks and 13 TFLs.

The 30-year-old linebacker was also named NFC Defensive Player of the Month for October. He had 6.5 sacks last month and had 22 pressures, second-best in the league.

MORE: How far will this Vikings team go? A look at past teams could tell us

"Just a year ago I thought my football career was over," Smith said on Twitter. "Look at how the tables have turned."

Smith's first sack on Sunday came late in the first quarter on a blitz. He rushed up the middle and muscled the center to corral quarterback Kyler Murray and end the Cardinals' drive. His sack celebration paid homage to longtime Vikings defensive end Jared Allen, who entered the Ring of Honor on Sunday.

His next sack came midway through the second quarter. Smith again rushed from the inside and blew right past the center. Murray folded under the pressure.

The final sack came on the second-to-last play of the game. With less than 30 seconds left, Smith beat the left guard and took Murray down. One play later, Harrison Phillips jumped on a falling Murray to end the game with another sack.

As a team, the Vikings have 21 sacks on the year, good for 10th in the league. They play the Washington Commanders on Sunday, who have given up 30 sacks, more than any other team but the Chicago Bears.

In:
• Minnesota Vikings