The only surprise in Seattle free safety Earl Thomas being named on Wednesday the NFC Defensive Player of the Week for his performance against the Rams last Sunday is that it was the first time in his career he had ever won the award.
That Thomas was honored this week seemed a slam dunk after he made two game-turning plays in a win that allowed Seattle to move into first place in the NFC West, knocking the ball out of the hands of Los Angeles running back Todd Gurley at the goal line to save a touchdown in the first quarter and then picking off a pass to help preserve a 16-10 victory in the fourth.