Rookie linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. was named NFC Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts in Week 14 against the Las Vegas Raiders.
There wasn't much scoring happening in the Week 14 game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Las Vegas Raiders. In fact, the purple and gold pitched a shutout on the road, defeating the Raiders 3-0.
Minnesota's defense was buzzing all over the field on Sunday despite their struggles on offense. Defensive coordinator Brian Flores has done an amazing job turning this team around in such a short time.
Although the team did a great job as a whole, one particular Vikings defender earned special praise for his play, Rookie linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. was named the NFC Defensive Player of the Week for Week 14.
News of Pace's award-winning performance against the Raiders was shared by the Star Tribune's Ben Goessling on X (formerly Twitter)
#Vikings rookie LB Ivan Pace is the NFC Defensive Player of the Week, after his 13 tackles and last-minute interception in the Vikings’ shutout of the Raiders on Sunday.
— Ben Goessling (@BenGoessling) December 13, 2023
Why was Pace named Defensive Player of the Week?
Ivan Pace Jr. led the Minnesota Vikings in combined tackles on Sunday, being credited for 13 takedowns including seven solo tackles and one quarterback sack, but that wasn't all the rookie did on Sunday.
His most recognizable play of the game came in the final minutes when he intercepted Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell to essentially end the game and give Minnesota their seventh victory of the season.
Pace has been excellent this year, replacing veteran Eric Kendricks in the starting lineup. The undrafted free agent signing has been one of the best moves the Vikings have made recently and the 22-year-old defender has a long career ahead of him.
Congratulations to Ivan Pace Jr. on being named NFC Defensive Player of the Week. He and the entire Minnesota Vikings defense deserve recognition for their great play in Week 14 against the Las Vegas Raiders.