As the Vikings turned to Danielle Hunter at right defensive end for much of the season’s first half, moving the 24-year-old to their premier pass-rushing spot with Everson Griffen away from the team, Hunter responded with eight sacks in the team’s first eight games.
As strong as Hunter’s performance was, though, it turned out to be merely a prologue for the tour de force he turned in on Sunday. As the Vikings set a team record with 10 sacks in their win over the Lions on Sunday, Hunter posted 3 1/2 sacks, registered nine total tackles and picked up Matthew Stafford’s errant pitch in the fourth quarter, returning the fumble 32 yards for a touchdown that effectively sealed the game in the Vikings’ 24-9 win.