Defensive Player of the Week

Antoine Bethea, S, Indianapolis.

Though the Colts were leading 6-0 with a minute left in the first half, Kansas City was playing this game just the way coach Todd Haley wanted -- playing keepaway from Manning with some long drives that limited his touches. The Chiefs started the year 3-0 in no small part because they hadn't lost a fumble. But with Kansas City running back Jamaal Charles near the end of an eight-yard gain at the Colts 33 with a minute left in the first half, Bethea exploded into him and the ball popped out. End of drive. Instead of the Chiefs having a chance to go up 7-6, Indy stunted the drive, and the Chiefs, as it turned out, never got the lead in a 19-9 Indianapolis win. For the day, Bethea, the survivor in a season filled with injuries, had seven tackles and the forced fumble.