Last New Year’s Eve, Tyrel Dodson was wrapping up his fourth full season in Buffalo and preparing for the playoffs. Twelve months and two teams later, he’s the AFC Defensive Player of the Week after a career-high 15 tackles and an interception in last week’s Dolphins win. Dodson joined NFC winner C.J. Gardner-Johnson among players honored by the league Tuesday.
Dodson and the Dolphins (8-8) are fighting for the AFC’s final wild-card berth. They need to win on the road against the Jets (4-12) on Sunday (4:25 p.m. ET, FOX). Miami also needs Denver (9-7) to lose at home against the Chiefs.
A key reason Miami beat Cleveland, 20-3, last week to stay in contention, Dodson made a leaping interception in a tie game to turn the tide late in the first half. He became the first AFC linebacker to register both 15 tackles and an interception in a game since Vontaze Burfict in 2016.
Claimed on waivers by the Dolphins Nov. 12, Dodson had signed as an unrestricted free agent with Seattle this past offseason. He started nine games for the Seahawks this season before Seattle released him. Dodson initially signed as a non-drafted free agent with Buffalo prior to the 2019 season.
Gardner-Johnson proved valuable to the Eagles (13-3) in a 41-7 victory over Dallas that clinched Philadelphia’s NFC East division title. He registered two interceptions, including a 69-yard touchdown to put the Eagles on the board in the first quarter.
A catalyst in the Eagles’ secondary, Gardner-Johnson spent last season with the Lions before returning to Philadelphia as a free agent prior to the ’24 season. He could see his former teammates in the playoffs.
For more information on the Dolphins and Eagles, visit the Miami and Philadelphia team pages at ProFootballPost.com.
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