TAMPA, Fla. — The new year has gotten off to a whirlwind start for Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Antoine Winfield Jr., with many believing he was snubbed not once, but twice, for his stellar play this season.
However, on Thursday, he was finally given the recognition he deserves.
The NFL named Winfield Jr. the NFC Defensive Player of the Month for December into January. According to the Buccaneers, he is the first defensive back in franchise history to earn the honor, and eighth defensive player overall.
Winfield Jr. recorded six forced fumbles, six sacks, four fumble recoveries and three interceptions this season. According to the Bucs, he finished the year sharing the league lead in both forced fumbles and fumble recoveries.
It's those stats that led many to believe he was wrongly left off this year's Pro Bowl rosters, although he has been named as an alternative. His name was also left off the NFLPA 2023 Players' All-Pro First Team .
Despite the controversy, the Bucs clinching the NFC South and winning NFC Defensive Player of the Month honors are positive notes for Winfield Jr. to end the regular season on.
The Bucs safety was also named NFC Defensive Player of the Week twice this year, in Weeks 13 and 18, both victories over the Carolina Panthers.
The Buccaneers finished the season strong, going 5-1 over the final six weeks, in large part due to their defensive play. From Weeks 13 through 18, Tampa Bay led all NFC teams in opponent points per game allowed (16.3), according to a press release.
It's now time to take that momentum into the playoffs.
Tampa Bay will face off against the Philadelphia Eagles in the Wild Card Round in a highly-anticipated matchup at Raymond James Stadium on Monday night.