Brad Roby is AFC Defensive Player of the Week

For the second time this season, a Broncos defender was the best of the best in the AFC.

And this time it goes to third-year cornerback Bradley Roby for his performance in Denver’s 27-19 win over the San Diego Chargers.

Roby - bumped up to starter after Aqib Talib sat the game out with an injury - earned AFC Defensive Player of the Week for the first time in his NFL career.

Making his first start of the season on Sunday, Roby knocked away two passes and added seven tackles to his stat sheet, but No. 29’s biggest play was a 49-yard pick-six on Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers.

The second quarter score gave Denver a 10-7 lead that the Broncos would not relinquish the rest of the game.

Making big plays at the right time - and often in rescue mode of the offense - is something Roby got used to last year, and he believes it will remain the Broncos’ M.O. this season.

You may recall Roby’s fumble recovery and touchdown to beat the Chiefs in Week 2 last season, but if not, here’s a refresher:

"We did that last year and we continue to do that," Roby said, adding it’s just part of the players on this defense. "We’re playmakers, and it can come from anywhere."

This award marks the 32nd time a Broncos defensive player has earned conference player of the week honors since it was initiated by the NFL in 1984. Von Miller won the award after his Week 2 performance against the Colts.

The Broncos defense has been viewed by some as not being as strong this season as last, but that’s largely due to its tendency to allow opponents to score on their opening drives.

But by points allowed, quarterback pressures and wide receiver denials, this defense is a threatening bunch.