Eden Prairie, MN (November 23, 2016) – Minnesota Vikings CB Xavier Rhodeshas been named the NFC Defensive Player of the Week after securing two interceptions and returning his first pick 100-yards for a touchdown.
Rhodes' 100-yard interception return touchdown was the longest in Minnesota Vikings history. It was also the NFL's first interception return touchdown of 100-plus yards since 2013 (Sean Smith, Kansas City Chiefs, 11/3/2013).
Xavier Rhodes paired with Cordarrelle Patterson (104-yard kickoff return for a touchdown) to become the first duo of Vikings to score on two 100-plus-yard plays in the same game. Minnesota is the first team since the 1962 Dallas Cowboys to score on a 100-plus-yard interception return and a 100-plus-yard kickoff return in the same game.
The fourth-year CB from Florida State has set a career high for interceptions this season with four. According to the coaches tally, Rhodes has recorded 29 combined tackles, 4 interceptions, 11 passes defensed, 1 forced fumble and 1 tackle for a loss so far this season.
Rhodes represents the 11th Player of the Week award earned in the past three seasons under Mike Zimmer.
VIKINGS TO BE NAMED NFC PLAYER OF THE WEEK UNDER ZIMMER
Defensive, Anthony Barr, LB, 2014, Week 8, at Tampa Bay
Special Teams, Adam Thielen, WR, 2014, Week 13, vs. Carolina
Special Teams, Marcus Sherels, PR, 2015, Week 8, at Chicago
Defensive, Linval Joseph, DT, 2015, Week 9, vs. St. Louis
Defensive, Trae Waynes, CB, 2015, Week 10, at Oakland
Special Teams, Blair Walsh, K, 2015, Week 16, vs. NY Giants
Defensive, Everson Griffen, DE, 2015,Week 17, at Green Bay
Defensive, Eric Kendricks, LB, 2016, Week 1, at Tennessee
Offensive, Stefon Diggs, WR, 2016, Week 2, vs. Green Bay
Defensive Everson Griffen, DE, 2016, Week 3, at Carolina
Defense, Xavier Rhodes, CB, 2016, Week 11, vs. Arizona
