The Arizona Cardinals special teams made the play that altered the game more than any other in Sunday’s win over the Los Angeles Chargers.
Simi Fehoko blocked a Chargers punt in a 16-14 game early in the fourth quarter.
That lead to the Cardinals finally finding paydirt again, and extending their lead to double digits.
For that, Fehoko was recognized as the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week.
This is Fehoko’s first career selection as Special
Teams Player of the Week and the first “Special Teams Player of the Week” for the Cardinals since Blake Gillikin in 2024 (Week 9).
Fehoko made his mark on special teams in the Cardinals victory last Sunday. He was the first – and only – NFL player to block a punt in Week 1. It was Fehoko’s first career blocked kick, the first blocked punt for the Cardinals since 12/20/20 vs. Philadelphia and the first time the Chargers had a punt blocked since 11/21/21 vs. Pittsburgh.
After the Arizona defense forced a three-and-out early in the fourth quarter, the Chargers punted from their own 19-yard line when Fehoko broke through the middle of the L.A. protection to block the kick. The Cardinals took possession at the LAC three-yard line and two plays later, QB Jacoby Brissett hit TE Trey McBride on a three-yard TD pass to give Arizona a 23-14 lead with 11:44 remaining.
Fehoko finished Sunday’s game with the blocked punt and two tackles on special teams.
Congrats to Fehoko.
