Vikings' Ivan Pace Jr. Named NFC Defensive Player of the Week
Vikings rookie linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. has been named the NFC Defensive Player of the Week after his 13-tackle, one-sack, one-interception performance against the Raiders in Sunday's 3-0 victory.
Pace, who the Vikings signed as an undrafted free agent out of Cincinnati this year, has been incredible as a rookie. He was all over the field in Vegas, racking up seven tackles in the first quarter and sealing Minnesota's seventh win with his diving interception in the game's final minutes.
Ivan Pace Jr. Dazzles in Career Day as Vikings' Defense Delivers Again
Pace is the third different Vikings defender — none of which are named Danielle Hunter or Harrison Smith — to take home this award across the season's 14 weeks. Jordan Hicks won it in Week 6 after his huge game against the Bears, and Camryn Bynum won it the following week after his two clutch interceptions against the 49ers. That's a testament to how good Brian Flores' defense has been this season.
Since Hicks went on injured reserve following the Vikings' Week 10 win over the Saints, Pace has played every single defensive snap at middle linebacker while wearing the green dot on his helmet and relaying Flores' calls to his teammates. The rookie is thriving in that role, helping the Vikings not miss a beat without one of their veteran leaders.
"One of the things that jumps out at you is just the communication, because I'm able to hear Flo and the dialogue he has with IP," Kevin O'Connell said after Sunday's game. "And I'm able to then watch IP's dialogue with the huddle. He has great command. He's answered the bell and filled in a huge role, especially in our defense, where there's so much personnel variation. Flo can sometimes decide to make tweaks and adjustments to try to stay out in front of things, and IP handles it really well. Just looking forward to what's out in front of IP, because as an undrafted free agent, he's doing a heck of a job for our team right now."
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