Bryan Bresee didn't really envision winning his first NFC Player of the Week award via a contribution while playing special teams.
"No, not at all," the second-year defensive tackle said, smiling. "I think this might be one of the only times a D-tackle got the award, but super excited about it."
He earned it; Bresee blocked Graham Gano's 35-yard field-goal attempt with 11 seconds left to preserve the New Orleans Saints' lead and ensure a 14-11 victory over the Giants on Sunday, New Orleans' third win in four games since Darren Rizzi was named interim head coach.
"Every down is super important in football," he said of his inclusion on special teams, "so whenever I'm in and I'm able to do my job and help the team, is going to be 100 percent effort and giving everything I've got."
But as impressive as was the block – Bresee leapt over the left side of the offensive line between the long snapper and guard and even though he landed off balance and was unable to make a second jump, he was tall enough and close enough to get his left hand on the kick – it's not the most impressive work on Bresee's resume this season.
Entering Sunday's game against Washington (8-5) in the Caesars Superdome, Bresee leads the Saints (5-8) with 7.5 sacks, including 3.5 in the last three games, giving him one of the top sack seasons in franchise history for an interior defensive lineman.
La'Roi Glover had seasons of 17 sacks (in 2000), 10 (1998), 8.5 (1999) and 8 (2001), Wayne Martin had seasons of 13 (1995), 11 (1996) and 10.5 (1997) and Sheldon Rankins had eight (2018).
Bresee totaled 4.5 sacks, seven tackles for loss and nine quarterback hits in 17 games as a rookie; this year with four games remaining he has three more sacks, the same number of tackles for loss and four more quarterback hits.
"Just having another year under my belt," he said. "A lot of it just comes with live reps and you can't really get that unless you're playing.
"So having a full year and on the back end of Year 2, just having more time to work on my craft and really have other guys in the room that have done it for awhile kind of show me the right ways to go about my business. They've been a big help."
Bresee's sack production is an extension from last season, when he had three in the last four games. He said the game has slowed down for him.
"I think so, just understanding football better," he said. "I came from a lot different scheme in college and then I played here, so just starting to understand that and knowing what my job was, and then you eventually get over to what offenses were doing and what could help me be my best in our defense."
While striving for his best, he acknowledged that there's been significant assistance along the way.
"It's been great but a lot of that also goes to the (defensive backs) covering and a lot of those sacks are off games and other things with my D-line, who've done a great job as well," he said. "Just caging quarterbacks and setting things up."
And setting himself up to be a more consistent producer, perhaps earning an NFC Defensive Player of the Week award along the way.
"That's what I'm trying to get do, being as consistent as possible," he said. "Especially for a D-lineman, just being consistent week in and week out and doing my job."
