Minnesota Vikings

Vikings' Everson Griffen named NFC Defensive Player of the Week

Published Jan. 6, 2016 10:41 a.m. ET

foxsports

Minnesota Vikings defensive end Everson Griffen was named NFC Defensive Player of the Week for his explosive performance in a 20-13 win over the Green Bay Packers on Sunday night.

NFC Defensive Player of Week 17: Vikings DE Everson Griffen. 1st career Player of Week Award pic.twitter.com/7WhJ4RFSgZ
— Randall Liu (@RLiuNFL) January 6, 2016

This is Griffen's first career Player of the Week award, and it is the first won by a Vikings defensive end since Jared Allen won in 2008, according to NFC communications director Randall Liu.

The Vikings beat the Packers in Week 17 with a defensive clampdown, and Griffen played a large role in that effort. He finished the game with six tackles (five solo, three for losses) and two sacks, including a forced fumble that led to a 55-yard return touchdown by cornerback Captain Munnerlyn.

Griffen, 28, helped the Vikings field a top-five defense this year (18.9 points allowed per game). He led the team with 10.5 sacks, as the 2015 season marked his second in a row with a double-digit total.