Vikings Defensive MVP: Week 6 vs. the Green Bay Packers
By Adam Patrick
Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith came up huge with some big-time plays to lead the team to a win over the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.
Since joining the Minnesota Vikings in 2012, Harrison Smith has evolved into one the best defensive backs in the entire NFL. The safety has been voted to the Pro Bowl in each of the last two years and this week he began to make his case for a third straight trip.
Without Smith out on the field, the Vikings might not have had such an easy time getting a win over the Green Bay Packers on Sunday. During the victory, the Minnesota safety finished with five tackles (one for a loss), one interception, two hits on the quarterback, one and a half sacks, and two pass deflections.
He was literally did it all this week.
His big plays on Sunday came when the Vikings needed them the most too. Both of his sacks and his interception all came on Packers’ third-down attempts.
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Whenever Minnesota ends up with a big victory like the one they got this week, Smith’s play always seems to be one of the main reasons for why the Vikings end up on the winning side of the scoreboard.
Sunday’s game against Green Bay was no different.
After adding another interception this week, Smith now has three so far this year. His single-season career high is five (back in 2014) and he still has 10 more games to play in 2017. As of right now, Smith is on pace to end the year with eight interceptions.
Next: Vikings Week 6 offensive MVP
Thanks to the talented safety and the rest of their defense on Sunday, Minnesota is now 4-2 and on the path to their second NFC North crown in the last three seasons.