The National Football League today announced that Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Alex Anzalone was named the NFC Defensive Player of the Week for Week 8.
In Tampa Bay's 16-0 victory over the Atlanta Falcons in Week 8, Anzalone recorded six tackles (one for loss) and a career-high two interceptions. He became the first Buccaneer to record multiple interceptions in a game since Jamel Dean in Week 2 of the 2022 season at New Orleans, and the first Tampa Bay linebacker to accomplish the feat since Lavonte David in Week 11 of the 2015 season against Philadelphia.
The University of Florida product was the only NFL player to record multiple interceptions in a victory in Week 8. Anzalone's three interceptions this season are tied for the second-most in the NFL, and the most among non-defensive backs. Anzalone is 1-of-2 players this season with three-plus interceptions and a sack, alongside Green Bay Packers safety Xavier McKinney. Since he became a full-time starter in 2021, his 36 passes defensed rank fourth among NFL linebackers. Over the past six seasons (2021-26), Anzalone is the lone linebacker in the NFL with 500+ tackles, 35+ passes defensed and 10.0+ sacks.
Behind Anzalone's performance, Tampa Bay became the first team to record a shutout this season. The Buccaneers led the league in Week 8 with four interceptions, tied for the league lead with four takeaways, allowed the second-fewest total yards (224) and the third-fewest passing yards (125). Tampa Bay also was the only team in the NFL to prevent its opponent from converting a third down, holding Atlanta to 0-for-12.
Tampa Bay ranks third in the NFL in total defense (285.9), second in rush defense (80.0) and sixth in scoring defense (18.9) through Week 8, while its six games limiting opponents to 300 or fewer total yards and 100 or fewer rushing yards are the most in the league this season. The Buccaneers have also held seven of their eight opponents to fewer than 100 rushing yards, the most such performances by any NFL team. The Buccaneer rank at the top of the league in both takeaways (16) and interceptions (12), while ranking fifth in points off turnovers (49). The Buccaneers have generated multiple takeaways in four of their past five outings, including a season-high four in consecutive weeks (7-8).
The weekly honor marks the first of Anzalone's career and makes him the first Buccaneer to earn a Player of the Week award this season. He is the first Tampa Bay linebacker to receive the honor since Anthony Nelson in Week 8 of the 2025 season and the first Buccaneer linebacker to win the weekly accolade in his first year as a Buccaneer since Kwon Alexander did so in Week 8 of the 2015 season. Anzalone becomes the sixth different Buccaneer to earn NFC Defensive Player of the Week since Todd Bowles became head coach in 2022: Anzalone, Anthony Nelson (Week 8 – 2025), Jamel Dean (Week 6 – 2025), Yaya Diaby (Week 18 – 2024), Antoine Winfield Jr. (Week 18 – 2023, Week 13 – 2023) and Devin White (Week 10 – 2022).
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