Jalen Ramsey Earns AFC Defensive Player of the Week After Overtime Heroics Against Buccaneers

Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back Jalen Ramsey has been named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week following his dominant performance in the team’s overtime victory against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Ramsey put together a stat line that placed him in rare historical company, recording 10 tackles—nine of them solo—along with four tackles for a loss and two sacks. He achieved the feat while managing a wrist injury that had limited his participation in practice throughout the week. According to league records, Ramsey became the first player to accumulate 10 or more tackles, four or more tackles for a loss, and two sacks in a single game since 2023, as well as the first defensive back to reach those numbers in a game dating back to 2000.

The defining moment of the matchup arrived in overtime, when Ramsey dropped Buccaneers quarterback Jalon Daniels for an 11-yard loss on a crucial fourth-down play, effectively sealing the victory for Pittsburgh.

Steelers Coach Mike McCarthy praised the veteran defender’s versatility and intelligence after the game, highlighting his capacity to line up across the secondary. McCarthy also detailed the decisive final play, noting the execution of edge setters T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith alongside Ramsey’s precise timing.

Teammates pointed to Ramsey’s preparation and leadership as vital elements of the defensive unit’s success. Safety Jaquan Brisker, whose locker sits adjacent to Ramsey’s at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, noted that the defensive back’s vocal energy and mindset set the tone throughout game week. Second-year linebacker Jack Sawyer added that Ramsey’s relentless practice habits serve as a strong motivator for younger players on the roster.

This marks the third time in Ramsey’s career that he has received the AFC Defensive Player of the Week accolade. He previously earned the award in Week 16 of the 2016 season during his tenure with the Jacksonville Jaguars, and again in Week 11 of the 2023 season while playing for the Miami Dolphins. With the latest honor, the Steelers stand as the only NFL team to feature more than one player winning the weekly defensive award this season, joining teammate T.J. Watt.