Seattle Seahawks free safety Earl Thomas was named NFC defensive player of the week for week 5. Thomas played bookend roles in the Seahawks 16 to 10 NFC showdown win over the Los Angeles Rams. Thomas thru pure will and hustle not only stopped the Rams Todd Gurley short of the goal line but he somehow caused a fumble that resulted in a touchback for the Seahawks.
Thomas somewhere jarred the ball from Gurley and the loose ball hit the pylon, landed out of bounds and according to NFL rules the play is considered a touchback for the defense. The first quarter play was a tone-setter for the rest of the afternoon for Thomas and the Seahawks defense.
In addition to the incredible chop and recover play, Thomas had an interception and finished the game with seven tackles in the game. Oddly enough this was the first NFC Defensive player of the week honors for the five-time Pro Bowler and eight-year veteran.
