Chad Greenway's performance on Sunday against the Lions has earned the Vikings linebacker NFC defensive player of the week honors for the first time in his career.

Greenway equaled a Vikings record with three takeaways in the Vikings' 27-13 victory at Ford Field. He had two interceptions, recovered a fumble and also recovered an onside kick. Greenway becomes only the third linebacker in team history to have three takeaways in a game. Jack Del Rio and Roy Winston are the others.

The Vikings have not had a linebacker earn NFC defensive player of the week honors since Jeff Brady in 1996. The only Vikings linebackers to earn this honor are Brady, Del Rio, Mike Merriweather and now Greenway.

Update: The NFC defensive player of the week will be facing the NFC offensive player of the week on Sunday at the Metrodome. San Francisco running back Frank Gore, who had 79- and 80-yard touchdown runs last Sunday against Seattle, earned the honors on offense. Gore had 16 carries for 207 yards. Gore came out of the game with a sore ankle but, according to this report in the San Francisco Chronicle, he said he should be able to practice Wednesday.