Minnesota Vikings defensive end Everson Griffen has won the NFC Defensive Player of the Week award, coming off his performance at Carolina with a career-high-tying three sacks plus nine hurries of Panthers quarterback Cam Newton.

Griffen is tied for second in the NFL with four sacks. The seventh-year veteran has 44 sacks in his career, all with the Vikings. He’s the 10th player of the week winner in three seasons under coach Mike Zimmer and the sixth on defense.

Including the last two games of the 2015 regular season, the Vikings have had a winner for five straight weeks. Linebacker Eric Kendricks and wide receiver Stefon Diggs were honored the previous two games. Kicker Blair Walsh and Griffen won awards late last season.