The NFL has named Houston Texans DB Tavierre Thomas the AFC Defensive Player of the Week following his performance in the team's 41-29 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 16. This marks the first Player of the Week award of his NFL career and the team's first Defensive award since Week 2 of the 2019 campaign.
In Week 15, Thomas finished with eight tackles (six solo), one pass defensed and one interception that he returned 48 yards for his first career touchdown. Thomas was just one-of-two players in the AFC to register a touchdown on defense in Week 16 and just one of four to do so overall in the NFL for the weekend's slate of games. His timely interception came in the midst of an 11-point game late in the fourth quarter that helped the club seal a victory. His 48-yard return also amounted to be the most interception return yards of the week and most by an AFC defender since Week 13.
Additionally, Thomas was the only player in the AFC with at least eight tackles and one interception. He excelled in coverage throughout the game, allowing just a 37.5 passer rating on five total targets, the third-best mark in the AFC in Week 16 per NFL Next Gen Stats.
This marks the 51st time a Texan has been named Player of the Week in franchise history and the second week in a row after DB Tremon Smith earned Special Teams Player of the Week honors in Week 15. It is also the 18th time Houston has won the AFC Defensive Player of the Week award in team history.
| Player | Award | Week | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tavierre Thomas | Defensive | 16 | 2021 |
| Tremon Smith | Special Teams | 15 | 2021 |
| Deshaun Watson | Offensive | 11 | 2020 |
| Angelo Blackson | Special Teams | 15 | 2019 |
| Deshaun Watson | Offensive | 13 | 2019 |
| Deshaun Watson | Offensive | 5 | 2019 |
| Deshaun Watson | Offensive | 3 | 2019 |
| Whitney Mercilus | Defensive | 2 | 2019 |
| Ka'imi Fairbairn | Special Teams | 15 | 2018 |
| J.J. Watt | Defensive | 12 | 2018 |
| Jadeveon Clowney | Defensive | 4 | 2018 |
| Johnathan Joseph | Defensive | 6 | 2017 |
| Deshaun Watson | Offensive | 4 | 2017 |
| Shane Lechler | Special Teams | 8 | 2016 |
| Will Fuller V | Special Teams | 4 | 2016 |
| Whitney Mercilus | Defensive | 1 | 2016 |
| J.J. Watt | Defensive | 17 | 2015 |
| J.J. Watt | Defensive | 11 | 2015 |
| DeAndre Hopkins | Offensive | 6 | 2015 |
| Randy Bullock | Special Teams | 16 | 2014 |
| Ryan Fitzpatrick | Offensive | 13 | 2014 |
| J.J. Watt | Defensive | 11 | 2014 |
| J.J. Watt | Defensive | 4 | 2014 |
| J.J. Watt | Defensive | 15 | 2012 |
| Matt Schaub | Offensive | 11 | 2012 |
| J.J. Watt | Defensive | 3 | 2012 |
| Arian Foster | Offensive | 7 | 2011 |
| Arian Foster | Offensive | 4 | 2011 |
| Glover Quin | Defensive | 12 | 2010 |
| Matt Schaub | Offensive | 6 | 2010 |
| Andre Johnson | Offensive | 2 | 2010 |
| Arian Foster | Offensive | 1 | 2010 |
| Brian Cushing | Defensive | 8 | 2009 |
| Brian Cushing | Defensive | 6 | 2009 |
| Jacoby Jones | Special Teams | 4 | 2009 |
| Matt Schaub | Offensive | 2 | 2009 |
| Matt Schaub | Offensive | 14 | 2008 |
| Steve Slaton | Offensive | 13 | 2008 |
| Jacoby Jones | Special Teams | 8 | 2008 |
| Jacoby Jones | Special Teams | 6 | 2008 |
| André Davis | Special Teams | 14 | 2007 |
| Kris Brown | Special Teams | 5 | 2007 |
| Mario Williams | Defensive | 1 | 2007 |
| Kris Brown | Special Teams | 16 | 2006 |
| DeMeco Ryans | Defensive | 13 | 2006 |
| Andre Johnson | Offensive | 4 | 2006 |
| Jerome Mathis | Special Teams | 8 | 2005 |
| Kris Brown | Special Teams | 3 | 2004 |
| Chad Stanley | Special Teams | 9 | 2003 |
| Avion Black | Special Teams | 15 | 2002 |
| Aaron Glenn | Defensive | 14 | 2002 |
