Vikings Everson Griffen Named NFC Defensive Player of the Week

The Minnesota Vikings defeated the Green Bay Packers Sunday, clinching the NFC North title.  The Vikings will now have a championship banner to hang in their brand new stadium.  It took a team effort to earn the victory, but one defensive player has been singled out.

The Minnesota Vikings announced that defensive end Everson Griffen has been selected as the NFC Defensive Player of the Week for Week 17.

Griffen recorded 2.0 sacks on Sunday, both of which had a direct impact on the game.  He forced a fumble on the first sack, knocking the ball away from Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Captain Munnerlyn scooped up the ball and returned it 55 yards for a touchdown that put the Vikings up 20-3 late in the third quarter.

Griffen also sacked Rodgers to force a 43-yard field goal with 5:35 remaining, and helped the defense prevent two attempts by the Packers to tie the game. He finished the season with 10.5 sacks and has 22.5 in the past two seasons.

Now it's time for both teams to look forward as they both face their first playoff tests on Sunday.