Week 9: J.C. Jackson, New England Patriots

New England Patriots cornerback J.C. Jackson has been named the DC Touchdown Club Pro Football Player of the Week for the second time this season.

Jackson, who played at the University of Maryland, was sensational this past Sunday. He intercepted two passes, returning one 88 yards for a touchdown as the Patriots beat the Carolina Panthers, 24-6. According to Pro Football Focus, Jackson allowed just one catch for two yards.

“That was my first career touchdown in the NFL,” Jackson said. “I need to get more of those.”

Undrafted coming out of Maryland in 2018 with one season of eligibility remaining, Jackson quickly established himself as one of the top defensive backs in the league. He had 17 interceptions in his first three seasons, finishing second in the NFL with a career-high nine interceptions in 2020. Jackson is second in the NFL with five interceptions this season.

Jackson took advantage of the Patriots rotating cornerbacks, allowing Jackson some opportunities to rest following a week in which he missed practice because he was ill and wondered whether he would recover enough to be on the field Sunday.

“I was sick as” can be, Jackson said. “I was about to die. I couldn’t taste. I had strep throat. I thought it was over. I thought I wasn’t going to play this week, to be honest.”