Given the team's dominant start to the season, any number of New England defenders could have been a solid choice for AFC Defensive Player of the Month in September.
But, thanks to his four interceptions in four games, safety Devin McCourty distanced himself from his other teammates to take home the award.
McCourty tied a New England franchise record originally set by Pro Football Hall of Famer Mike Haynes by recording an interception in each of the Patriots four games to open the season.
This is the first time that McCourty has been named AFC Defensive Player of the Month in his 10-year NFL career and first New England defender to take home the monthly honor since defensive end Chandler Jones did so in November 2013.
"The ball is finding me," McCourty said Wednesday of his four interceptions. "You know, I think a lot of – 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.
