Chris Jones is the centerpiece of a Kansas City Chiefs defense that's carrying the team toward a third Super Bowl title, so it makes sense that he would earn the occasional award or two. On Wednesday, the National Football League announced that Jones was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts in Week 4 against the Los Angeles Chargers.
On Sunday, the Chiefs went into Los Angeles and gave up a quick 10 points after coughing up two turnovers on the offensive side, which only put further pressure on the Chiefs defense to begin the game. From there, the Chiefs defense wouldn't give up a single point and the team would end up leaving with a gritty 17-0 win and an undefeated record through the month of September.
The Chiefs defense as a whole is suffocating opponents right now.
The Chiefs largely had their defense to thank for the win, and Chris Jones' monumental efforts in the game swallowed Justin Herbert and company whole—holding them to only 4.2 yards per play and 2.3 yards per rush. The Chargers offensive line also committed numerous penalties due to the threat that Jones and company provided up front via the pass rush.
Jones finished the game with 2 sacks and 4 total tackles. He now has 3 sacks and 12 pressures on the season through 4 starts.
This is Jones's third win for a weekly conference award, giving him more than any other Chiefs lineman in team history (Art Still and Neil Smith each had 2). Jones's previous wins came in Week 2 of the 2017 season and Week 11 of the 2021 season.
As for other winners in the AFC, Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry took home the trophy for Offensive Player of the Week and Tennessee Titans kicker Nick Folk won for Special Teams Player of the Week.