Vic Beasley Jr. wins NFC Defensive Player of the Month for his performance in the months of December/January.
During the last five games of the season Beasley Jr. recorded six sacks, along with two forced fumbles – both were tied for the most in the NFL over that time period. In Week 13, Beasley Jr. posted his second three-sack game of his career and scored his first career touchdown in Atlanta's 42-14 win over Los Angeles. He became the first Falcon and 10th player in NFL history with three sacks and a fumble recovery returned for a touchdown since sacks became an official statistic in 1982.
In the final regular season game in the Georgia Dome, Beasley Jr. sacked QB Drew Brees in the second quarter of Atlanta's Week 17 win over New Orleans, giving him the NFL sack title with 15.5 on the year. He also added two tackles and a pair of tackles for loss in the win. The second-year linebacker out of Clemson helped Atlanta's defense hold Brees to 154 passing yards and a 77.1 passer rating through three quarters.
Beasley Jr. is the first Falcons linebacker to win Defensive Player of the Month since 1991 (Jessie Tuggle). DT Rod Coleman was the last player on the Falcons to win the Defensive Player of the Month award (2005). This is the fourth time this season a Falcons player has won the Player of the Month award – Matt Ryan (Offensive – September); Deion Jones (Rookie – September); Matt Bryant (Special Teams - October).
Also, six Falcons have been named the Player of the Week this year – Matt Ryan won in week 17; Matt Bryant won in Week 16; Devonta Freeman won in Week 15; Vic Beasley Jr. won in Week 14; Julio Jones won in Week 4; Matt Ryan won in Week 9.
