Byron Murphy, Jr. earns NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors after two-pick performance vs. Saints

The Vikings cornerback totaled two interceptions, tying an early-season league pace, in Minnesota’s 23-13 Week 5 win over New Orleans.

By The Apex Times Newsroom1 min readAI-assisted Apex article

Byron Murphy, Jr. was named the NFC Defensive Player of the Week for Week 5 after a two-interception performance that helped the Minnesota Vikings defeat the New Orleans Saints 23-13.

In the third quarter, Murphy intercepted Saints quarterback Tyler Shough after Shough evaded pressure, kept his eyes upfield, and tried to throw in stride. Murphy stayed locked on the quarterback and made the catch for Minnesota’s first takeaway of the day.

Murphy added a second interception late. With under three minutes remaining, Shough threw deep for Chris Olave but overthrew the receiver, giving Murphy another opportunity that he converted into a game-sealing turnover.

The award also reflects Murphy’s season production. Through Minnesota’s first five games, he is tied for the NFL lead with three interceptions, and he recorded 21 tackles, a tackle for loss, and five passes defensed.

This is not the first time Murphy has been recognized at this level. He previously won NFC Defensive Player of the Week while with Arizona in Week 3 of 2021, and the Vikings note that he became the first Minnesota player to record two interceptions in a game since safety Cam Bynum did so in Week 7 of 2023.

Why It Matters

Murphy’s two-interception day is a major defensive swing that directly secured Minnesota’s Week 5 win over the Saints.
With three interceptions in five games, he has emerged as a top playmaker early in the season and is influencing how opposing quarterbacks approach Minnesota’s secondary.
The award adds to a five-week stretch in which the Vikings have claimed four NFC Players of the Week honors, underscoring broader special-teams and defensive impact around the roster.
The recognition places extra attention on Minnesota’s defensive trends heading into the team’s upcoming bye and next game.

Sources

Key Facts

Byron Murphy, Jr. was named NFC Defensive Player of the Week for Week 5.
Murphy recorded two interceptions of Saints quarterback Tyler Shough in the Vikings’ 23-13 win over New Orleans.
His first pick came in the third quarter on a play where Shough scrambled to avoid pressure before throwing in stride.
His second interception came with under three minutes left when Shough’s deep throw for Chris Olave overshot the intended receiver.
Through five games, Murphy is tied for the NFL lead with three interceptions, and he has 21 tackles, a tackle for loss, and five passes defensed.
The Vikings say Murphy is tied to the franchise’s recent two-pick benchmark, being the first Viking to have two interceptions in a game since Cam Bynum in Week 7 of 2023.
The Vikings’ release also notes Murphy has 14 career interceptions since joining Minnesota as a free agent in 2023, and he has 19 career picks overall.