Responsible for a few of the most impressive plays in this past Sunday's 16-10 victory over the Los Angeles Rams, Earl Thomas has been named Defensive Player of the Week for Week 5 in the NFC.
The Seahawks free safety recorded seven tackles and a crucial interception in the game's fourth quarter, but Thomas' most impressive stop came on the Rams' opening possession when he used a Bruce Lee-esque Kung-Fu chop to force Los Angeles running back Todd Gurley to fumble near the goal line. The loose football hit the pylon and landed out of bounds, a play that by rule resulted in a touchback and gave the ball back to the Seahawks.
"I did a great job watching those Bruce Lee movies, and it kind of carried over to the football field," Thomas said postgame at L.A. Coliseum of his touchdown-saving, turnover-forcing tackle.
"It's just fighting and clawing," he added. "We always talk about, 'just give us an inch,' and I saw a chance to strike on the ball."
The play was reminiscent of an effort Thomas displayed during Week 17 of the 2014 season. In that game, which also came against the Rams, Thomas used a goal-line chop on Rams running back Benny Cunningham, who proceeded to fumble the football into and out of the end zone.
"I had never seen that play before Earl did it the first time, and he has done it twice," cornerback Richard Sherman said following this past Sunday's game. "I said, 'I've never seen anybody else do that, and you did it both times to the Rams.' It's crazy, but Earl's a heck of a player and deserves a lot of credit for never giving up and fighting to the last second."
It might be hard to believe given the highlight-reel plays 12s see Thomas make on a weekly basis, but the Defensive Player of the Week honor is the first ever for the five-time Pro Bowler and eight-year NFL veteran. Since 2012, however, the trio of Thomas, cornerback Richard Sherman and strong safety Kam Chancellor has now won eight Defensive Player of the Week awards.
Elsewhere in the NFC, Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers earned Offensive Player of the Week, while Philadelphia Eagles punt returner Kenjon Barner took home Special Teams Player of the Week.
In the AFC, Los Angeles Chargers running back Melvin Gordon was named Offensive Player of the Week, Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Telvin Smith earned Defensive Player of the Week, and Indianapolis Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri was named Special Teams Player of the Week.
Team photographer Rod Mar shares exclusive behind-the-scenes images from the Seahawks' 16-10 win over the Los Angeles Rams during Week 5 at L.A. Coliseum.
Kicker Blair Walsh is dressed to the nines as he makes his way to the team buses on Sunday.
Seahawks safety Kam Chancellor waits for the buses to depart the team hotel on game day.
Quarterback Russell Wilson takes his early warmup throws on the NFL logo painted at midfield at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum prior to facing the Rams.
Seahawks left guard Luke Joeckel stretches in the end zone during the early warmup period.
Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett greets the Rams' Alec Ogletree on the field before the game.
Early-arriving 12s found themselves down next to the field near the Seahawks bench during pregame.
Safety Kam Chancellor adjusts his helmet as the Seahawks head to the field.
Cornerback Richard Sherman makes the walk down the tunnel to the playing field at the Coliseum.
From left, Tanner McEvoy, Russell Wilson, Justin Britt and Oday Aboushi lead the Seahawks to the playing field.
Seahawks receiver Tyler Lockett kneels on the field before the game.
Seahawks captains Russell Wilson, Jon Ryan, Kam Chancellor and Richard Sherman await the pregame coin toss.
The Rams pressured Seattle early, with Russell Wilson being tackled by L.A.'s Alec Ogletree in the first quarter.
The Seahawks defense worked hard to stop Rams running back Todd Gurley, here brought down by Earl Thomas and Richard Sherman.
Seahawks safety Earl Thomas saves a touchdown and creates a turnover at the last possible moment, jarring the ball away from Rams running back Todd Gurley just shy of the goal line, resulting in a touchback.
Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson slides after scrambling during the first quarter.
Offensive lineman Ethan Pocic caught a line drive kickoff and returned it 13 yards in the second quarter.
Seattle's Luke Willson can't prevent Rams defensive back John Johnson III from intercepting a pass thrown by Russell Wilson in the second quarter.
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson helps save a touchdown by tackling Rams safety John Johnson III after Johnson intercepted a pass thrown by Wilson.
Seattle's J.D. McKissic races up the right side.
Seattle's Jimmy Graham rumbles down the field, pursued by Rams linebacker Mark Barron.
Tyler Lockett looks for more yardage after evading the Rams' Cody Davis.
Seattle's Jimmy Graham outlaws the smaller John Johnson III of the Rams for a touchdown reception.
Running back Thomas Rawls celebrates with tight end Jimmy Graham after Graham scored on a four-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter.
Seahawks receiver Paul Richardson looks for running room up the left side in the second quarter.
Seahawks receiver Paul Richardson runs over Rams defender Nickell Robey-Coleman along the Los Angeles sideline.
Seattle's Frank Clark collars Rams running back Todd Gurley.
Seahawks running back Eddie Lacy finds daylight for a six-yard gain.
Seattle's Blair Walsh, with Jon Ryan holding, makes one of his three field goals in the victory.
Seahawks fans were everywhere in Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum for the game.
Seattle's Sheldon Richardson intercepts a pass intended for Rams running back Todd Gurley in the third quarter.
The Seahawks defense celebrates with defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson after his interception.
Seattle's J.D. McKissic races away from Rams defenders in the third quarter.
Seattle punter Jon Ryan turned in another strong performance for the Seahawks.
With Seattle protecting a 13-10 lead, the Rams looked to come back in the fourth quarter.
Seahawks coach Pete Carroll celebrates as his defense forced the Rams to punt late in the game.
Injured Seahawk Cliff Avril gives advice to defensive end Marcus Smith in the fourth quarter.
Seattle's run defense held the Rams dangerous running back Todd Gurley to his lowest rushing output of the year.
Seattle's defense swarms around Los Angeles receiver Tavon Austin in the fourth quarter.
Seattle's Earl Thomas looks for an opening after intercepting a Jared Goff pass in the fourth quarter.
Seattle running back Thomas Rawls runs past a host of Rams.
Seattle's Frank Clark knocks the ball away from Rams quarterback Jared Goff in the fourth quarter.
Seahawks defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson returns a fumble caused by teammate Frank Clark in the fourth quarter.
Kicker Blair Walsh smiles after connecting on a 35-yard field goal with less than two minutes remaining, giving the Seahawks a 16-10 lead. Walsh made field goals of 48, 49 and 35 yards in the victory.
Seahawks fans were everywhere one looked on the road in Los Angeles and were treated to a 16-10 victory.
Seattle's Kam Chancellor and Justin Coleman defend as Jared Goff's pass intended for Cooper Kupp falls incomplete on fourth down, sealing the victory for the Seahawks.
Seattle's Justin Coleman celebrates after the defense held the Rams on the final drive of the game.
Rooke cornerback Shaquill Griffin is hugged by veteran safety Earl Thomas on the field after the hard-fought victory.
