Harrison Smith wins Bridgestone Performance for week 16
By Adam Carlson
Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith was awarded with the Bridgestone Performance of the Week for his week 16 game against the New York Giants on Sunday.
The Minnesota Vikings absolutely dismantled the New York Giants on Sunday, who were without their star wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. Beckham was serving a one game suspension for incidents involving Carolina Panthers cornerback Josh Norman. Without the dynamic pass catcher, the Giants offense struggled passing the ball badly and Eli Manning looked out of sync.
One of the players to capitalize on Manning’s miscues was safety Harrison Smith. Smith finally returned to action after being injured during a December 6, 2015 game against the Seattle Seahawks and made his impact felt immediately.
Here are Harrison Smith’s statistics for week 16:
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- 5 total tackles
- 1 pass defended
- 1 interception
- 1 defensive touchdown
Smith’s pick six in the game was something that the Minnesota Vikings have missed. However, the safety didn’t see anything special about the play that
"“I was the middle-of-the-field safety, so I got a little freedom and a break on the quarterback,” Smith said according to Vikings.com. “Nothing crazy, but just playing football.”"
Fans know just how important Harrison Smith is to the Minnesota Vikings, but the players on the offensive side of the ball also appreciate what he does for the team. Star running back Adrian Peterson had some major praise for the young safety this week.
"“He’s a guy that, if I’m starting a team, he’s my first pick. So I got to take my hat off to him. He’s the ultimate competitor, and he’s a great talent.”"
Congratulations to Harrison Smith on winning the award for Bridgestone Performance of the Week. You can see him and rest of the Vikings when they take on the Packers in Green Bay with the NFC North crown on the line. That game will be shown on Sunday Night Football’s broadcast on NBC.