Jevón Holland has grabbed another one.
This time it is NFC Defensive Player of the Month honors.
The safety won the conference award today after kicking off his sixth NFL season – second as a Giant – with one of the best opening months in recent history. Since 1970, Holland is one of two NFL players with at least three interceptions, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery in the first three games of the season. Domingo Bryant of the Houston Oilers achieved the feat in 1987.
Holland, who has already broken his career-high interception total for a season, put an exclamation point on September by picking off Cam Ward in the end zone in the closing seconds of the Giants' 12-7 victory over the Tennessee Titans on Sunday.
"That's the kind of player Jevón Holland has always been," coach John Harbaugh said after the game. "So, to see him flourishing right now, the way he is, is just – it's wonderful."
This is Holland's first time being so honored. He is the first Giants player to be named NFC Defensive Player of the Month since Landon Collins became the team's first safety to win it in November 2016. The only other Giants defensive back to win the award was cornerback Jason Sehorn in December 1997.
Before Collins, the most recent Giant to win was defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul in December 2011, the year the team went on to win Super Bowl XLVI.
Holland is the only Giant in the last 30 years to force at least four turnovers in the first three games of a season. He is also the fifth Giant to record an interception in each of the first three weeks of the season, joining Michael Boley (2012), Terry Jackson (1978), Pete Athas (1973) and Carl Lockhart (1970).
Holland's four total takeaways (three interceptions and one fumble recovery) lead all NFL players. Furthermore, Holland individually has more takeaways than 18 teams entering Week 4.
Holland's three interceptions are tied with rookie cornerback Hezekiah Masses, a fifth-round pick by the Las Vegas Raiders, for the league lead.
"The ball is just coming my way," Holland said this week. "Anybody can tell you there's no rhyme or reason to it. I'm just trying to catch the ones they throw to me. I have been on the Jugs (machine) every day, just in case they do, but other than that they come in bunches. The ball has just been coming my way, and I've been trying to make sure I'm on my keys and technique so I'm in the right spot."
Holland and the 2-1 Giants will open October with a visit from the 1-2 Arizona Cardinals, who are one of four teams with just one giveaway this season. The Giants, on the other hand, have forced five total turnovers.
"I think this defense is definitely very sound," Holland said. "I think because it's so sound and has so much structure to it, I'm able to find my role and adapt in an effective manner."
That is an understatement from the NFC Defensive Player of the Month.
