Denver's Williams is AFC West player of week

It's slim pickings this week since only one AFC West team won Sunday.

Denver's defense bounced back from allowing 113 points in the past three weeks and the Broncos beat Tampa Bay, 16-13. So, we're selecting a Denver defensive player for the AFC West player of the week: weakside linebacker D.J. Williams.

Williams was tremendous in Denver's solid defensive performance. Williams has been good all season and he kept it up Sunday. He had 11 tackles and one of Denver's three sacks. He also leapt high into the air to break up a long Tampa Bay pass play in the third quarter.

Williams is quietly one of the NFL's better linebackers. The 2004 first-round pick is making a strong case for his first Pro Bowl selection. Williams, who signed a long-term contract on the eve of the regular season, has preserved through some tough times. He has played all three linebacker positions. Williams is thriving now that he is back at his original NFL position.

(espn.com)