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NEW YORK — Jan. 8, 2024 — Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs, Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Yaya Diaby and Chicago Bears defensive back Josh Blackwell are the NFC Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week for Week 18 (January 4-5).
OFFENSE: RB JAHMYR GIBBS, DETROIT LIONS
- Gibbs recorded 170 scrimmage yards (139 rushing, 31 receiving) and a league-high four touchdowns (three rushing, one receiving) in Detroit’s 31-9 victory over Minnesota on Sunday Night Football. He was the only player in Week 18 to record three-or-more scrimmage touchdowns, helping Detroit clinch the NFC North division title and the NFC’s number one seed.
- This is the first-career Offensive Player of the Week award for Gibbs, joining Kevin Smith (Week 11, 2011) and Jamaal Williams (Week 18, 2022) as the only Lions running backs to win the award since 2000.
- Gibbs becomes the fourth former Alabama running back to win an Offensive Player of the Week award in the past 10 seasons (2015-24), joining Derrick Henry (nine-time winner), Mark Ingram (two) and Josh Jacobs.
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DEFENSE: LB YAYA DIABY, TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
- Diaby recorded five tackles, including four tackles for loss and a sack, in Tampa Bay’s 27-19 victory over New Orleans. Diaby was the only player in Week 18 to record four-or-more tackles for loss and a sack, helping the Buccaneers clinch the NFC South division title for the fourth consecutive season.
- This is the first Defensive Player of the Week award for Diaby, joining Shaquil Barrett (two-time winner) and Devin White (three-time winner) as the only Buccaneers linebackers to win the award in the past five seasons (2020-24).
- Diaby becomes the fourth former University of Louisville linebacker to win Defensive Player of the Week, joining Otis Wilson (Week 11, 1985 & Week 16, 1986), Preston Brown (Week 3, 2015) and Elvis Dumervil (Week 15, 2014).
SPECIAL TEAMS: DB JOSH BLACKWELL, CHICAGO BEARS
- Blackwell recorded a 94-yard punt-return touchdown in the Bears’ 24-22 victory at Green Bay, one of eight games in Week 18 decided by seven or fewer points, the most in the final week of the season since nine in 2015. Blackwell’s touchdown marked the only punt-return touchdown in the NFL in Week 18 and the longest punt-return by an NFC player this season.
- This is the first-career Special Teams Player of the Week award for Blackwell, becoming the third Bears non-kicker/punter to win Special Teams Player of the Week since 2020, joining Jackson Grant (Week 14, 2021) and Cole Kmet (Week 6, 2024).
- Blackwell becomes the first former Duke defensive back to win Special Teams Player of the Week.
Photo/TampaBayBuccaneers/X