Defensive end J.J. Watt is usually the member of the Texans defense getting accolades and awards, but one of his teammates was deemed the AFC’s top defensive player of the month for December and January.
Linebacker Whitney Mercilus was the NFL’s choice for the honor, which was announced on Thursday. The selection means the Texans have had the last two monthly winners on defense with Watt taking the prize for November.
Mercilus ended the regular season in fine style last Sunday with 3.5 sacks and a forced fumble against the Jaguars in a 30-6 win that sewed up the AFC South crown for Houston. It was the second time this season that Mercilus had 3.5 sacks in a game and those two outings helped him finish the year with a career-high 12 sacks.
Mercilus had two other sacks in Houston’s four December games and added 17 tackles to his work as a pass rusher.