Kamren Kinchens is on a roll — an honor roll. After his clutch plays preserved the Rams’ win at New England last week, the rookie safety has now claimed two NFC Defensive Player of the Week awards in three weeks. He joined AFC Defensive Player of the Week Terrel Barnard from the Bills among the league’s best Week 11 players announced Wednesday afternoon.
Kinchens, the 99th-overall selection in the third round of the 2024 draft, sealed the Rams’ 28-22 victory at Gilette Stadium on Sunday. With Drake Maye and the Patriots driving to tie the game, facing a third-and-13 with 1:55 remaining in regulation, Kinchens read the quarterback’s eyes and undercut intended receiver DeMario Douglas in centerfield. His interception allowed the Rams (5-5) to run out the clock and secured important momentum heading into this week’s showdown with Philadelphia (8-2) on Sunday Night Football (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC).
Kinchens, who also forced a Rhamondre Stevenson fumble late in the third quarter, became the first NFL rookie this century with an interception, tackle for loss, forced fumble and five-or-more tackles in a game.
Bernard, meanwhile, made key bookend plays to help the Bills (9-2) hand the Chiefs (9-1) their first loss in 337 days. First, after Buffalo drove for a tone-setting first-quarter touchdown on its first possession, Bernard kept momentum on the Bills’ sideline, sacking Patrick Mahomes to force a punt. And at the end of the game, with Mahomes and the Chiefs on the march, Bernard also delivered a game-sealing interception.
Buffalo is on a bye this week before hosting San Francisco in a Sunday night game on Dec. 1.
For more information on the Rams and Bills, visit the L.A. Rams and Buffalo team pages at ProFootballPost.com.
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