You read that correctly, ladies and gentlemen. Minnesota Vikings' defensive end Jared Allen, who just a few months ago was washed up, burned out, and had been figured out by every offensive tackle in the league, somehow managed to perform well enough to be named the NFC's Defensive Player of the Month for October.
For the month of October alone, Allen collected eight sacks, forced two fumbles, recovered two fumbles, and recorded 24 other tackles. He also established a new Vikings' team record by notching quarterback sacks in ten consecutive games, and is on pace to break Michael Strahan's single-season sack record.
Allen is the eighth different member of the Vikings to be named the Defensive Player of the Month, and the fourth Vikings' defensive lineman to receive it. He's the first Viking to receive the award since Darren Sharper won it back in November of 2005.
Here is a complete list of all the Vikings to receive the Defensive Player of the Month Award.
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
Congratulations to Jared Allen on his latest honor.