Everson Griffen: NFC Defensive Player of the Month for October

A lot of Minnesota Vikings fans considered the big contract that Everson Griffen got this offseason to be a gross overpayment for an unproven player, but the young Vikings defensive end is making good on that deal.

In honor of his play during the month of October, Everson Griffen has been named the NFC Defensive Player of the Month.

Sep 7, 2014; St. Louis, MO, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive end Everson Griffen (97) celebrates sacking St. Louis Rams quarterback Austin Davis (not pictured) during the second half at the Edward Jones Dome. The Minnesota Vikings defeat St. Louis Rams 34-6. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Here are the statistics from his four October games:

• 20 combined tackles
• 2 stuffs
• 8 tackles for a loss
• 1 forced fumble
• 1 blocked kick
• 6 sacks

Over those 4 weeks, it’s not as though the Vikings were playing against teams with terrible offenses, either.  During that stretch, they’ve played the Green Bay Packers, Detroit Lions, Buffalo Bills, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Through his 8 games so far this year, Everson Griffen leads ALL defensive ends, as well as ALL defensive players in the NFC, in sacks.  He has brought down the quarterback 8 times this year, with an opportunity to increase that number on Sunday when the Washington Redskins come to Minnesota.

Everson Griffen isn’t showing any signs of slowing down, either.  The young pass rusher seems to have a non-stop motor when it comes to getting to the quarterback.  If he can keep playing the way he is, there’s no reason to believe that he can’t accumulate many more of these kind of awards in the future.

Congratulations to the Minnesota Vikings and Everson Griffen on winning the award for NFC Defensive Player of the Month.