We all knew Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly was good, but this season, he has been an absolute monster. Just ask Pro Football Focus, who has all of his best numbers outlined:
Luke Kuechly is performing at an elite level once again in 2018. pic.twitter.com/9pMM6PV2Ha
— PFF (@PFF) December 14, 2018
In 13 games this year, Kuechly has racked up 111 tackles, an incredible 17 tackles for loss, two sacks, an interception, a pair of forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery, making his case for another Defensive Player of the Year award.
The 27-year-old, who played his collegiate football at Boston College, was originally selected by the Panthers with the ninth overall pick of the 2012 NFL Draft.
He burst on to the scene in his rookie campaign, registering a league-best 165 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, a sack, two picks, and three fumble recoveries. The following year, Kuechly notched a Defensive Player of the Year award after finishing with 166 stops, 10 tackles for loss, a couple of sacks, four interceptions, and seven passes defended.
Kuechly has been a mainstay in the Pro Bowl and on All-Pro teams, making five straight trips to the Pro Bowl and earning First-Team All-Pro selections in four of those five seasons.
Last year, the Cincinnati native totaled 125 tackles, 1.5 sacks, three picks, a forced fumble, three fumble recoveries, and a defensive touchdown en route to the All-Pro team.
If only Carolina as a collective group was following suit this season. The Panthers are just 6-7 and have lost five straight games after an impressive 6-2 start.
Cam Newton and Co. have made the playoffs in four of the last five years, falling to the New Orleans Saints in the Wild Card round last season.
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