Andrew Van Ginkel named NFC defensive player of the week

Andrew Van Ginkel helped the Vikings keep pace with the Lions in Week 16 and his efforts were recognized by the NFL on Tuesday.

Van Ginkel was named the NFC defensive player of the week because of his productivity in Minnesota’s 27-24 win over the Seahawks. The victory moved the Vikings to 13-2 on the season and kept them alive in the race for the top seed in the conference.

Van Ginkel sacked Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith twice during the win. Both sacks came in the fourth quarter. The first came on a third down to force a punt and the second came after the Vikings took the lead on a Justin Jefferson touchdown catch. The lost yardage forced the Seahawks to try a game-tying 60-yard field goal that was no good.

The two sacks moved Van Ginkel to 11 on the season. That’s a career high and he’ll try to add to that total against the Packers and Lions over the final two weeks of the regular season.