Arizona Cardinals’ Dwight Freeney wins Defensive POW

Another week, another award for the Arizona Cardinals

After Deone Bucannon won the NFC Defensive Player of the Week for his work against the Eagles last week, this week sees Dwight Freeney named to the same award for the Arizona Cardinals in Week 16. Freeney, who is on a one year, incentive laced contract, earned $300,000 (reportedly) for his three sacks in Sunday’s game vs. Green Bay.

Freeney was a force to be reckoned with over the course of the game, having nearly half of the sacks against Aaron Rodgers. He previously won this award five times in the AFC with his work with the Colts and Chargers before not being signed in the offseason.

The Cardinals signed Freeney off the street, or “off the golf course” in October. Since Week 6, in 10 games, Freeney has seven sacks and leads the team. That could be an indication of how poor the pass rush before he arrived, or just how good he really is, or a little bit of both.

Still, with a big hit against Teddy Bridgewater in the Thursday Night game that forced the game ending fumble, and the sack party at Aaron Rodgers’ house this week, Freeney is looking like another Steve Keim signing gem.

Freeney becomes the fifth player to win a player of the week award during the Cardinals’ season, two on defense, two on special teams and one on offense (surprisingly enough).

What year is it?