Colts Darius Butler Named AFC Defensive Player of the Week

Indianapolis Colts cornerback Darius Butler has been named the AFC’s Defensive Player of the Week

The 7th-year veteran finished with 2 tackles and a pass deflected, but he received such honors namely for his 4th quarter interception of Peyton Manning with 6:06 remaining that essentially clinched the game for his team.

Manning’s potential last throw in Indianapolis turned out to be to a Colt after all, as Butler made a diving catch for the interception on a pass that was originally intended for Demaryius Thomas.

Aided by a bonehead Aqib Talib eye poke penalty on tight end Dwayne Allen, the Colts were then able to successfully run out the clock, and Manning wasn’t given another chance to comeback, as the Colts won 27-24.

According to ProFootballFocus (subscription), Butler received a +1.0 overall grade against the Broncos. When targeting Butler, Manning was 3 for 4 (75%) for 34 passing yards, an interception, and an NFL rating of 60.4.

Generally deployed as the Colts nickelback, Butler has consistently been one of the better slot cornerbacks in football, even if he did struggle a bit earlier in the season coming back from injury.

On Sunday, he simply made one of the biggest plays of the Colts season.