Philly Leader

C.J. Gardner-Johnson has been named the NFC Defensive Player of the Week after a standout performance that helped secure the NFC East Division title for his team with a decisive 41-7 victory over the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday. This is Gardner-Johnson's first weekly accolade in his career.

He becomes the fourth player from the Eagles to receive such an honor this season, joining running back Saquon Barkley, who has won Offensive Player of the Week four times, linebacker Zack Baun, and punter Braden Mann.

Zack Baun had also achieved his first career NFC Defensive Player of the Week award earlier in the season against Dallas following their 34-6 win in Week 10.

Gardner-Johnson's remarkable game included a notable 69-yard interception return for a touchdown on the game's opening drive, marking both his first career touchdown and setting a precedent as it was the first pick-six on an opening defensive possession since Josh Sweat’s similar feat against Dallas in 2022.

Previously, Gardner-Johnson was also noted for recording multiple interceptions in a single game against Dallas on October 16, 2022. The last Eagle to have two interceptions in one half of a game was Jordan Hicks against Dallas on January 1, 2017.

His pick-six is recorded as the longest by an Eagle since Sydney Brown’s 99-yard return against Arizona last season. The previous longer pick-six versus Dallas by an Eagle was Lito Sheppard's 102-yard return in 2006.

For this season, Gardner-Johnson leads his team with six interceptions and ranks second with twelve passes defensed. He has also contributed significantly with fifty-nine tackles, one forced fumble, and one touchdown.