MINNEAPOLIS -- There is another award coming for a member of the Minnesota Vikings' defense.

Two days after Anthony Barr was named NFC Defensive Player of the Week for his performance on Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, defensive end Everson Griffen claimed NFC Defensive Player of the Month honors for October, at the end of a four-game stretch where he has recorded six sacks, eight tackles for loss and a forced fumble. It's the first time Griffen has won the award.

We have talked plenty about the emergence of Griffen in the past week or two, but it's a point that bears repeating in light of how much the Vikings appeared to put themselves out on a limb with the five-year, $42.5 million contract they gave him in March. That deal made Griffen one of the league's highest-paid defensive ends, and was a gamble on his ability to produce consistently after four seasons of being a rotational player. So far, the deal looks like a sound investment, and though Griffen has gotten some of his sacks as a result of pressure from other members of the Vikings' defensive line -- as coach Mike Zimmer has pointed out -- he has created plenty of pressure with his quickness off the edge. He's been solid against the run and had some splash plays chasing down screens, as well, and he looks like he will be a key member of the Vikings' defensive line for years to come.