NASHVILLE – Titans safety Kevin Byard has been named the AFC Defensive Player of the Month for October.
October was a heck of a month for Byard, who intercepted three passes while also scoring a touchdown on a fumble recovery. Byard also tallied 27 tackles, seven passes defensed and a forced fumble in five games in the month of October.
On the season, Byard is third on the team with 37 tackles, and he has four interceptions and 10 passed defensed.
Here's a game-by-game look at Byard's October:
-At N.Y. Jets (10/3), started at safety and notched six tackles and a pass defensed. Broke up a pass intended for Tyler Kroft in the second quarter.
-At Jacksonville (10/10), started at safety and compiled 11 tackles, an interception, another pass defensed and a fumble return for a touchdown. Became the ninth player in Titans/Oilers history with a fumble return for a touchdown and an interception in the same game. Gave the Titans an early 7-0 lead by recovering a Dan Arnold fumble that was forced by Elijah Molden and returning 30 yards for a touchdown early in the first quarter.
Broke up a pass intended for Marvin Jones Jr. in the end zone in the fourth quarter. Ended the game with an interception of Trevor Lawrence in the end zone. With his 20th career interception, he moved past Keith Bulluck (19) and Miller Farr (19) for sole possession of 15th place on the franchise's career interception list.
-Against Buffalo (10/18), started at safety and registered two tackles and an interception. Intercepted a Josh Allen pass that was deflected by Denico Autry and returned it to the Bills' 11-yard line in the second quarter. With an interception in back-to-back games, it marked the fourth time in his career he intercepted at least one pass in consecutive contests.
-Against Kansas City (10/24), started at safety and collected four tackles with a forced fumble. Forced a Patrick Mahomes fumble that was recovered by Matthias Farley at the Titans' 48-yard line late in the second quarter.
-At Indianapolis (10/31), started at safety and posted four tackles and three passes defensed, including an interception. Batted down a pass intended for Michael Pittman Jr. in the end zone in the first quarter. Broke up a pass intended for Mo Alie-Cox in the third quarter. Set up the Titans' game-winning field goal in overtime by intercepting a Carson Wentz pass intended for Pittman Jr. and returning it 14 yards to the Colts' 32-yard.
The Titans face the Rams on Sunday in Los Angeles.
