When Minnesota Vikings coach Mike Zimmer needed a veteran presence in the defensive backfield, he turned to one of his most trusted pupils in 37-year-old Terence Newman.
In his first season in Minnesota, Newman is rewarding Zimmer’s faith. He has been a steadying influence on a young secondary, and is starting to make some big plays, too.
Newman intercepted two passes in the victory over Oakland on Sunday. He joined Deion Sanders as the only two defensive backs in league history to have multiple interceptions in a game.
The performance earned him NFC defensive player of the week honors. Newman is the first Vikings defensive back to win the award since Antoine Winfield in 2010.
