Colts safety Mike Adams named AFC Defensive Player of the Week

The Indianapolis Colts' 27-20 win on Thursday night against their division rival Houston Texans was powered by impressive performances by veteran players.  One such veteran was 34-year old safety Mike Adams, who was named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week for week five because of his play.  It is the first time in his 12-year career that he has earned a Player of the Week honor.

Adams recorded four tackles, two passes defensed, and two interceptions on Thursday night, also racking up 48 return yards off the picks.  One of the interceptions sealed the game for the Colts, as it came in the final minutes.

Last year, Adams had a career year in his first season with the Colts, starting all 16 games and being named to his first career Pro Bowl.  He was tied for the NFL lead with seven takeaways, and already this year he has three takeaways in five games.  He has definitely been good at forcing turnovers, and he has provided stability to a position that has been filled with a lot of questions in the past few years.  This season, Adams has started all five games and has recorded 28 tackles, four passes defensed, and three picks.

Adams is the second Colts player to earn a Player of the Week honor this year, joining punter Pat McAfee, who was named the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week in week three.  Last year, quarterback Andrew Luck, punter Pat McAfee, inside linebacker D'Qwell Jackson, and outside linebacker Jonathan Newsome all earned Player of the Week honors.