Vikings LB Chad Greenway, former Hawkeye, is NFC defensive player of the week

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (AP) - Minnesota Vikings linebacker Chad Greenway has been named NFC defensive player of the week after picking up three turnovers in the victory at Detroit on Sunday.

Greenway intercepted Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford twice and also recovered a fumble in the 27-13 win. He became just the third linebacker in team history to record three takeaways in a game.

This is the first time that Greenway has won the award. Jack Del Rio and Roy Winston are the others. He also becomes the first Vikings linebacker to be named NFC defensive player of the week since Jeff Brady in 1996.

He also had four tackles and recovered an onside kick in the game. The Vikings host San Francisco in their home opener this Sunday.

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press.