For the fifth time this season, a New England Patriot has earned an AFC Player of the Week honor.
Kyle Dugger was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week for his performance in the Patriots’ 23-21 victory over the Miami Dolphins. It is Dugger’s first career AFC Defensive Player of the Week honor.
Trailing 14-10 with three minutes left in the third quarter, Dugger returned an interception 39 yards for a touchdown to give the Patriots a 16-14 lead. The pick-six made Dugger the first New England Patriots player in the Super Bowl era with three defensive touchdowns in a single season.
Previously, Dugger had a 59-yard fumble returned for a touchdown vs. the Detroit Lions and a 16-yard interception return for a touchdown at the Las Vegas Raiders.
“Just Cover 2 dropping as the middle player,” Dugger said postgame. “Got some odd drops, saw my threat was eliminated, so I was able to get my eyes back to the quarterback and get around to the backside vertical. Once I got my hands on the ball, I knew I needed to score. It helped the team greatly. That was the goal.”
Dugger, who recorded his first career sack earlier this season, ranks second on New England with 72 tackles and tied for second with three interceptions. While starting each of his 14 games, he has stayed in for 694 snaps on defense and 115 snaps on special teams.
In addition to Dugger, linebacker Matthew Judon was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week in Week 5, and linebacker Josh Uche was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week in Week 14.
Lastly, kicker Nick Folk earned AFC Special Teams Player of the Week in Week 8 and defensive back Marcus Jones earned AFC Special Teams Player of the Week in Week 11 vs. the New York Jets. The five AFC Player of the Week honors are the most by a Patriots team in a single season since they had five recipients in 2017.
https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1609643913454968834?s=20&t=3P1qsz5ZGIwRe_Co8h4Anw
Support Us: Help Us Compete Against The Corporate Media Giants
We need your help. If you enjoy our content, please help us beat Google's Corporate algorithm by adding us as a preferred source on Google News.
Click the button below and check the box next to "PatsFans.com"
Add as a preferred source on Google News
More Patriots News Headlines:
MORSE: Notes From Patriots Training Camp Day 5
By: Mark MorsePatriots training camp Day 5 saw pads come on, highlighting WRs like Kyle Williams and AJ Brown, QB play from Drake Maye, and defensive performances.
Vrabel Confirms DeAndre Hopkins’ Patriots Departure
By: Ian LogueVrabel confirms DeAndre Hopkins' brief Patriots coaching stint has ended. The former wide receiver's departure occurred during training camp.
TRANSCRIPT: Mike Vrabel Press Conference 7/30
By: Ian LogueHere's the full transcript of what New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel had to say during his press conference on Thursday, July 30, 2026.
MORSE: Notes From Patriots Training Camp Day 4
By: Mark MorseAnalyzing Day 4 of Patriots training camp, Kayshon Boutte shines w/Drake Maye, Christian Gonzalez contract talks, and Gabe Jacas's injury mystery deepens.
Morse: Notes From Patriots Training Camp Day 3
By: Mark MorsePatriots training camp Day 3 notes reveal Gabe Jacas's rare injury waiver contract, plus updates on AJ Brown, Kayshon Boutte, and depth chart battles.
