Carolina rookie linebacker Luke Kuechly has been named NFC Defensive Player of the Week by the National Football League.

Kuechly recorded a career-high 16 tackles in Sunday’s 30-20 victory against Atlanta. Kuechly and the defense held the Falcons scoreless in the first half.

Kuechly leads the NFL with three games in which he has recorded at least 15 tackles. No other player has more than one.

As long as his schedule works out, I’m supposed to interview Kuechly this afternoon and we’ll have much more on him Thursday.