Cornerback Terence Newman, who followed former Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer to Minnesota a year after Zimmer became the coach, has made a significant impact in his first season with the team. Thanks to a pair of interceptions on Sunday, the 37-year-old Newman is the NFC’s defensive player of the week.
Newman’s second interception, coming in the end zone with a little more than two minutes left, ended Oakland’s attempt to wipe out a 23-14 deficit. On the next play, an 80-yard touchdown run from running back Adrian Peterson iced the game.
Making Newman’s interceptions more impressive is the fact that Raiders quarterback Derek Carr had thrown only four interceptions all season before Sunday’s game.
Newman is the first Vikings defensive back to win the prize since Antoine Winfield, against the Eagles in December 2010.