Talanoa Hufanga earns some hardware after huge Week 3 performance

Denver Broncos safety Talanoa Hufanga had multiple game-changing plays against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday night.

And on Wednesday, the NFL recognized him for his monster performance.

Hufanga was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week after two interceptions against Rams QB Matthew Stafford, including a fourth quarter pick-six and another to seal the win at the buzzer.

No doubt about it. 💪

RT to congratulate @TalanoaHufanga on being named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week! pic.twitter.com/w8mkeeDnto

— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) September 30, 2026

Talanoa Hufanga also registered a key sack against Stafford late in the Broncos massive victory. Down 16-0 at halftime against L.A., things looked bleak, but Denver rallied and Hufanga put the team on his back.

Hufanga becomes the seventh Broncos safety to win AFC Defensive Player of the Week, joining the likes of Justin Simmons, Kareem Jackson, T.J. Ward, John Lynch, Steve Atwater and Steve Foley. Simmons was the last Denver safety to earn the honor back in Week 8 of 2023.

The night was historic as Hufanga is the first player Broncos player ever and fifth NFL safety since 1994 to register at least one sack along with multiple interceptions and one interception return for a touchdown in a game. 

His 66-yard TD had Empower Field at Mile High shaking, putting Denver up 23-19 in a game they’d eventually win 30-26. And again, Stafford could’ve stolen it at the gun but Hufanga made sure to protect the end zone and help the Broncos improve to 2-1.

It’s an exciting honor for Talanoa Hufanga and hopefully he and the team can take the momentum moving forward into a huge Week 4 showdown with the 49ers.

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