The Minnesota Vikings have been gutted by numerous injuries to key offensive players this season, but thanks to a steady play from the backups and more importantly, to a stout defense, the Vikings are managing to stay afloat in the NFC North division.
Defensive end Everson Griffen is one of the biggest reason why the Vikings’ defensive unit is among the fiercest in the league, but he’s also the last person to tell people that it’s mainly because of his play as to why Minnesota is having success despite the challenges.
The 29-year-old pass rusher even tried to attribute the rare feat he just achieved in last Sunday’s 33-16 win over the Browns to his teammates according to ESPN’s Courtney Cronin.
“It just shows my hard work,” Griffen said. “I’ve been working hard, but like I always say, I can’t do it without my defensive line. It’s not me only back there getting a sack; it’s when I get a sack, everybody’s working together. Coach Andre Patterson, best D-line coach in the NFL, he always says we get team sacks. We work together, and that was everybody working together, rushing together.
Griffen had a sack against the Browns, giving him 10 sacks on the season and extending his streak to eight games with at least a quarterback takedown, a feat only accomplished before by two other players; Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis.
Furthermore, Griffen’s said that his incredible start to the season is a product of having terrific teammates, who are making his job a lot easier.
“This is the best team I’ve ever been a part of, from top to bottom,” Griffen said.
Griffen will have to wait a little longer before he gets his shot of adding to his sack total with the Vikings headed to a Week 9 bye. They face the Washington Redskins next in Week 10.
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