Broncos S Justin Simmons Named AFC Defensive Player of the Week

Denver's defense was dominant against Kansas City.

Denver Broncos safety Justin Simmons took home a coveted award following the club's upset win over the Kansas City Chiefs, earning AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors, the NFL announced Wednesday.

This is the second such career honor for Simmons, who tallied two solo tackles, one interception, one fumble recovery, and a pass breakup amid Denver's 24-9 victory on Sunday — its first against the Chiefs since 2015.

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Simmons' performance punctuated a dominant effort by the Broncos, which held Patrick Mahomes to zero touchdowns while picking him off twice. The Chiefs finished 0-for-3 in the red zone, settling for field goals, and failed to score a second-half point.

"I know some guys have been here, myself obviously the longest, have been here and have faced them multiple times, but it is a new team," Simmons said in his post-game press availability. "It is a new year, and that is kind of the mindset you have to have going into it. Really happy we won. That is a heck of a team, we know that watching them. It just feels good to win.”

A reigning All-Pro, Simmons is the 31st player in franchise history to be recognized as AFC Defensive Player of the Week — the last being now-Seahawks defensive end Dre'Mont Jones, who landed the title after Denver beat the Jaguars in Week 8 of last season.

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