Detroit Lions‘ safety Ifeatu Melifonwu has come on like a house on fire since taking over the starting role from Tracy Walker ahead of the Lions Week 14 matchup with the Bears.
He had a good game against the Bears and then a great game against the Broncos. On Sunday he had an elite type showing against the Minnesota Vikings. That’s why the NFL has named him the NFC Defensive Player of the Week.
What a game for Melifonwu. He had five tackles, two huge passes deflections, two sacks and the game winning interception that ended a 30 year drought just when it looked like SOL was going to rear it’s ugly head again.
Melifonwu was also one of the Lions highest graded players by Pro Football Focus on Sunday with an 89.8 grade. He was also the second highest graded safety in the league on Sunday. Only Ravens’ safety Kyle Hamilton had a better day.
The Lions really scored something big here. If Melifonwu can keep this pace up, he could become one of the very best safeties in the NFL. The good news is that Kerby Joseph also played well and C.J. Gardner-Johnson is coming back soon. The Lions secondary is getting boost at the right time.