Chiefs LB Dee Ford named top defender in AFC for October

For a team that continues to rank among the bottom of the NFL in several defensive categories, the Chiefs have had some individual highlights.

Like Dee Ford.

A day after he won the AFC’s weekly award, the NFL announced Ford also is the conference’s Defensive Player of the Month.

Over five games in October, Ford led the NFL in forced fumbles, with four, and ranked second in sacks with six. It’s the most sacks in a month by a Chiefs player since Justin Houston in 2014.

The award itself is first for a Chiefs defensive player since Houston won in in 2013.

Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes was the AFC’s Offensive Player of the Month in September. Steelers running back James Conner won that honor for October.

Other monthly award winners: Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald and running back Todd Gurley were NFC defensive and offensive players of the month, respectively.

Kickers Graham Gano of Carolina (NFC) and New England’s Stephen Gostkowski (AFC) were special teams players of the month. The rookie monthly awards went to Broncos end Bradley Chubb and Colts guard Quenton Nelson. Nelson is the first guard to win such an award for a rookie.