Eric Berry’s pick-six helps him pick up weekly award

Chiefs safety Eric Berry’s game-turning play in last Sunday’s victory at Carolina helped earn him AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors.

Berry picked off an underthrown Cam Newton pass and returned it for a 42-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s 20-17 victory.

The Chiefs’ lone touchdown plus a two-point conversion cut the deficit to 17-14 and changed the game’s momentum.

Berry’s return included two spin moves which helped him move across the field and beat Newton and other tacklers to the pylon.

“So many things went right on that play,” Berry said. “It was a great call. It was planned on the sideline on the previous drive. Everybody was in tune and it was run perfectly.”

Although if he had to do it over again, Berry would have tucked the ball after the pick. Berry palmed the football for the first part of its return and if intended receiver Greg Olsen had been closer in pursuit, he would have been able to slap the ball out of Berry’s hands.

When Berry got to the sideline, wide receivers coach David Culley offered a reminder, and so did Berry’s dad, James.

“My dad texted me right after the game and that’s the first thing he said,” Berry said.

All’s well that ends well. Berry had his second interception of the season and the fourth defensive touchdown in his career. He’s tied for fourth in that category in team history.

In the game, Berry also had a team-high nine tackles, including one for loss and two passes defensed.

This story was originally published November 16, 2016 at 11:00 AM with the headline "Eric Berry’s pick-six helps him pick up weekly award."