FOXBORO -- Dont'a Hightower had one of the more dominating games of his career on Sunday, and he was given the AFC's Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts.
Hightower's well-rounded skill set was on display in New England's 35-17 win over Cincinnati as he racked up a team-high 13 tackles, 1.5 sacks and a safety. Hightower, a captain, is also responsible for running the defensive huddle, and he was leaned upon to relay signals from defensive coordinator Matt Patricia to the field without the use of the in-game communications system.
Patriots players have pulled down NFL awards five times this season. Kicker Stephen Gostkowski and punter Ryan Allen earned Special Teams Player of the Week in Weeks 1 and 3, respectively. LeGarrette Blount won AFC Offensive Player of the Month for September, and quarterback Tom Brady was given AFC Offensive Player of the Week in his return to the field against the Browns.
The last time a Patriots player earned Defensive Player of the Week was back in Week 2 of the 2014 season when Chandler Jones picked up the honor.