New England Patriots safety Devin McCourty received a special honor Thursday when he was named AFC Defensive Player of the Month for September.
The veteran defensive back leads the NFL with four interceptions. He's picked off a pass in each of the first four games, tying the franchise record (with Patriots legend Mike Haynes) for the longest interception streak.
"The ball is finding me," McCourty told reporters Wednesday when asked about his interceptions. "I was talking to Malcolm Jenkins last night, and he texts me and he's like, 'Man, you've got four interceptions,' and I was like, 'Yeah, man. For a lot of years, the ball didn't find me a lot.' You could be in good position, you could play good football, but the ball doesn't find you. And then sometimes you go out there and you know, Steph (Gilmore) tips one to me, I got an overthrow, I got another overthrow, and one where the quarterback never saw me.
"So, I wouldn't say they're like the hardest plays you ever make in your career, but sometimes you keep putting yourself in the right position, the ball will find you. Sometimes it doesn't, but you've just got to keep trying to play good football. I think me having interceptions shows how good this unit is. I'm able to play a lot of things just on being free and knowledge because our corners are so good. I don't have to worry about anything. I have complete faith in what they're doing, and I think a lot of us being on the same page allows us to do some things out there as a group that you can't always do, unless you have a lot of guys that are studying film together and smart enough to go out there and try to do some things."
McCourty's excellent performances have played a huge role in the Patriots defense allowing the fewest yards and points per game through the first four weeks.
He's also the first Patriots player to win this award since Chandler Jones was named AFC Defensive Player of the Month in November of the 2013 season.
McCourty isn't the only player on the Patriots defense to receive recognition this week. Patriots linebacker Kyle Van Noy was named AFC Player of the Week for Week 4 on Wednesday. He led the Patriots with eight tackles, two forced fumbles, three QB hits and two sacks in their 16-10 road win over the Buffalo Bills.
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