Jalen Ramsey didn’t just show up for the Steelers in their overtime win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers - he took over the game and walked away with AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors for it.
Pittsburgh announced Wednesday that the NFL had given Ramsey the award after his standout performance helped the Steelers shut down Tampa Bay’s offense. He played through a wrist injury that had limited him in practice during the week, then turned in one of the most disruptive stat lines of his career.
Ramsey finished with 10 tackles, including nine solo stops, along with four tackles for loss and two sacks. That production put him in rare company: according to the Steelers’ announcement, he became the first player since 2023 to post at least 10 tackles, four tackles for loss and two sacks in a game. He’s also the first defensive back to do it since 2000.
His second sack was the one that ended it in overtime. On fourth down with the Buccaneers trying to extend the possession, Ramsey dragged down quarterback Jalon Daniels for an 11-yard loss and sealed the Steelers’ victory.
The honor is the third AFC Defensive Player of the Week award of Ramsey’s career. He previously earned it with the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 16 of the 2016 season and with the Miami Dolphins in Week 11 of the 2023 season.
Ramsey is the second Steelers defender to receive the recognition this season, joining T.J. Watt. It’s another sign of a defense off to a strong start, with Pittsburgh hoping to keep that edge rolling in the weeks ahead.
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