Vikings OLB Jonathan Greenard has been named the NFC Defensive Player of the Month for the month of November, the NFL announced today.
Greenard led the NFC with eight tackles for loss in November, tied with OLB Danielle Hunter for the most in the NFL. He also recorded 4.0 sacks, tied for third most in the NFC during the month, 16 tackles, one forced fumble and one pass defensed, while helping the Vikings to a 4-0 record in November.
In Minnesota’s overtime victory at Chicago in Week 12, Greenard tallied six tackles, including four for loss, 2.0 sacks, two quarterback hits and a forced fumble. He became the first Viking with four tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks and one forced fumble in a game since Jared Allen in Week 5 of the 2009 season.
During the month of November, Greenard helped anchor a Vikings defense that allowed the fewest rushing yards per game (58.8) and yards per rush (3.0) in the NFL, and the third-fewest yards per game (265.5) league wide. The unit also tied for the second-most sacks (14) among all NFC teams and tied for the third-most interceptions (four) and takeaways (seven) in the conference.
On the season, Greenard has logged 41 tackles, including 14 for loss, 10 sacks, two passes defensed and three forced fumbles. According to Pro Football Focus, he leads the NFL in total pressures with 60 and his 10 sacks is tied for fourth in the NFL and ranks atop the NFC.
Greenard, who was previously named Defensive Player of the Week for his performance against Houston in Week 3, is the 12th different Viking to win NFC Defensive Player of the Month honors and the third player under Vikings Head Coach Kevin O’Connell to earn the accolade.
ALL-TIME VIKINGS NFC DEFENSIVE PLAYERS OF THE MONTH
1986 Doug Martin, DE September
1989 Keith Millard, DT October
1992 Chris Doleman, DE December
1993 Chris Doleman, DE December/January
1994 Jack Del Rio, LB September
1994 Anthony Parker, CB October
1994 John Randle, DT December
1996 John Randle, DT October
1997 John Randle, DT October
1999 John Randle, DT December
2005 Darren Sharper, S November
2011 Jared Allen, DE October
2014 Everson Griffen, DE October
2017 Everson Griffen, DE October
2022 Za’Darius Smith, OLB October
2023 Danielle Hunter, OLB October
2024 Jonathan Greenard, OLB November
(info courtesy of Vikings)
(images courtesy of Minnesota Vikings)
