CLEVELAND — Following a stunning 39-38 victory over the Indianapolis Colts in Week 7, two Cleveland Browns are being recognized nationally for their performances.
The NFL announced on Wednesday that Myles Garrett was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week, while Dustin Hopkins won AFC Special Teams Player of the Week.
The award for Garrett comes after a beastly performance from the All-Pro defensive end on Sunday. Garrett recorded nine tackles, two sacks, two forced fumbles, one pass defensed and one blocked field goal at Indianapolis.
Both of Garrett's forced fumbles were recovered by the Browns, leading to 14 points, including one recovered in the end zone. Additionally, Garrett's blocked field goal led to a Browns field goal.
His historical performance was only the fourth time that a Browns player recorded two sacks and two forced fumbles. Garrett previously accomplished this feat in 2018, while Mark Word and John Thierry did in 2002 and 1999, respectively.
Garrett also marked another milestone in his astonishing career Sunday, reaching 82 career sacks at just 27 years old. Garrett surpassed Pro Football Hall of Famer Reggie White, who previously held the NFL record for sacks by a player prior to his 28th birthday with 80.
For Hopkins, it marks the second consecutive week that he has garnered the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week accolades.
Hopkins made all four field goals in the victory in Indianapolis, including three from 50-plus yards. Additionally, he set the NFL record on Sunday with at least one 50-plus yard field goal in five consecutive games. The veteran kicker also kicked a career-long 58-yard field goal, which is tied for the second-longest field goal in Browns history.
This week marks just the second time that the Cleveland Browns have had two AFC Player of the Week winners. The last time was in Week 8 of the 1994 season when linebacker Pepper Johnson and return specialist Eric Metcalf won the accolades.
