FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — KhaDarel Hodge has been named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week, the NFL announced Wednesday.
Hodge recorded a blocked punt and tipped another in the Falcons' Monday night win against the Las Vegas Raiders.
"My mentality is to die by every snap," Hodge said. "I try to leave it all out there on the field every snap I can get."
Week 15 wasn't the only game where Hodge has made game-changing plays on special teams or otherwise. Hodge recorded a touchdown off a muffed punt in Week 4 versus the New Orleans Saints, scored the walk-off touchdown to lift Atlanta to an overtime win in Week 5 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and broke up a fake punt attempt by the Bucs in Week 8.
Hodge is one of only two special teams players with a blocked punt and fumble recovery; he is the only player to record a special teams touchdown and a blocked punt.
This marks Hodge's first recognition with the honor, and is the fifth time the Falcons have been tapped for an NFC Player of the Week recognition. Quarterback Kirk Cousins was named offensive player of the week twice, in Weeks 5 and 8. Safety Jessie Bates III and inside linebacker Troy Andersen earned defensive honors in Week 2 and Week 4, respectively.
The last time a Falcons special teams player was named player of the week was Younghoe Koo in 2023.
"If he is not in the Pro Bowl, I don't know — it's rigged," punter Bradley Pinion said. "Because he has a touchdown on punt and two blocked punts. That's an exceptional season within itself, much less one game. So, it's super, super cool to see that Hodge. Hodge works his tail off. Phenomenal teammate. Phenomenal gunner. Phenomenal wide receiver."
