The NFL has announced that Patriots cornerback Asante Samuel, New Orleans Saints SS Roman Harper, Seattle Seahawks DE Patrick Kerney, Minnesota Vikings FS Dwight Smith, San Francisco 49ers LB Patrick Willis are the week 12 nominees for the GMC Defensive Player of the Week.
New Orleans Saints SS Roman Harper led a Saints secondary with five tackles, an interception and a forced fumble in the Saints' 31 - 6 win over the Carolina Panthers. The Saints picked off three Panthers' passes and held Carolina to just 152 yards passing.
Seattle Seahawks DE Patrick Kerney recorded seven tackles, three sacks, one interception and one forced fumble in the Seahawks' 24 - 19 win over the St. Louis Rams.
New England Patriots CB Asante Samuel finished with three tackles and two interceptions in the Patriots' 31 - 28 win over the Philadelphia Eagles. Samuel returned A.J. Feeley's second throw of the game 40 yards for a touchdown in addition to intercepting Feeley in the end zone with the Pats holding onto a 31-28 lead with less than four minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.
Minnesota Vikings FS Dwight Smith returned two interceptions for a total of 112 yards and one touchdown in the Vikings' 41 - 17 win over the New York Giants. Smith also posted four tackles and defensed three passes. The 93-yard interception was the third longest interception return in team history and the 112 total yard son interception returns was the 2nd most in team history.
San Francisco 49ers LB Patrick Willis made 18 tackles and ½ sack in the 49ers' 37 - 31 win over the Arizona Cardinals. Willis ran down Sean Morey on a 62-yard reception in overtime. If Willis didn't catch Morey, the Cardinals could have scored and won the game.
