Cardinals’ Chandler Jones earns ‘DPOY’ prediction from LeBron James with monster five-sack day – Sporting News
The Cardinals put together a complete effort in their 38-13 Week 1 win over the Titans. Kyler Murray and the Arizona offense will get a lot of credit for the dominant win, but Chandler Jones may have been the most impressive player on the field.
Jones was an absolute force for the Cardinals. His strong performance helped the Cardinals stymie a strong, well-balanced Titans offense, as he recorded five total sacks in the game. That tied a record that Haason Reddick set during the 2020 NFL season and was the third-most ever for a player in a Week 1 game.
With 5.0 sacks (and counting) Chandler Jones has tied Haason Reddick for the most sacks in a single-game for the Cardinals since individual sacks became official in 1982.
He has the 3rd most sacks in a season-opener behind William Gay (5.5 1983) and Derrick Thomas (6.0 1998) pic.twitter.com/N9zBRDwrIE
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) September 12, 2021
MORE: ‘That’s sewage’ — pipe bursts over fans at FedEx Field
Jones started the game strong, and he had three sacks in the first quarter. He managed to get plenty of pressure on Ryan Tannehill early and rattle him. The Tennessee offense could never find consistency in part because of Jones’ strong pass-rushing presence.
MORE: NFL’s highest-paid players for 2021
Jones also forced two fumbles. In doing so, he became the first player in the last 20 years to record multiple games with at least four sacks and two forced fumbles.
Chandler Jones has logged his 2nd career game with 4+ sacks and 2+ forced fumbles (also Week 16, 2019 at SEA)
Jones is the only player to accomplish that feat in multiple games in the last 20 years#ARIvsTEN
— NFL Research (@NFLResearch) September 12, 2021
Many took notice of Jones’ excellent performance against Tennessee. NBA star LeBron James was one of them and noted that Jones was aiming for recognition in the Defensive Player of the Year race.
Chandler Jones going for DPOY already!! My goodness!! 3 sacks in the 1st
— LeBron James (@KingJames) September 12, 2021
I’ll say it again. CHANDLER JONES is going for DPOY!!!! My GOODNESS
— LeBron James (@KingJames) September 12, 2021
MORE: Why Trey Sermon didn’t play for 49ers against Lions
Jones has twice been named an AP All-Pro, but he has never won the Defensive Player of the Year award. He certainly should be considered the frontrunner for it after Week 1. He was on pace for 108.5 sacks at one point during the game, after all.
Chandler Jones is on pace to have 108.5 sacks this season.
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) September 12, 2021
Jones won’t keep that kind of momentum going during the NFL season, but if he continues to rack up sack numbers, he will certainly be one of the favorites to earn that title. He should have plenty of motivation to do so, as he’s in the final year of his current contract.