IRVING, Texas -- The Dallas Cowboys might have the NFL’s 32nd-ranked defense, but linebacker Sean Lee is not at fault.

Lee was named the NFC’s Defensive Player of the Month for October on Thursday. In four games, the coaches credited Lee with 52 tackles, three tackles for loss, two pressures and four pass deflections. He also intercepted three passes.

This is the second player of the month award for Lee. His first came in September 2011.

Lee had two interceptions in Dallas' 31-30 loss to the Detroit Lions on Sunday, the second two-pick game of his career. His first came on Dec. 5, 2010, against the Indianapolis Colts.

“Fantastic player, he really is,” coach Jason Garrett said. “He’s involved in virtually every tackle, and he has such a nose for the football when they throw it. He anticipates situations, and he’s one of those guys who’s always around the ball, so good things happen. Brandon Carr did a nice job of getting the pass breakup on Calvin [Johnson], the ball comes out, there’s Sean Lee right there, because he’s running to the ball. He’s around it and he seems to be able to make the play. He did a great job with his eyes on the second one, kind of hiding in there, then popping up and making that interception and return. Those are difference-making plays in the game to go with the dozen or so tackles he seems to make every week. He’s always around. He leads our defense. He plays the right way.”