Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith responded to his Pro Bowl snub by snagging two interceptions in the team’s Week 16 win over the Green Bay Packers.
According to some of those of cover the NFL, Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith has been the absolute best at his position this season. But apparently, the people who decided on the 2018 Pro Bowl rosters did not feel the same way.
The Vikings are currently sending four players (Adam Thielen, Anthony Barr, Everson Griffen, Xavier Rhodes) to this year’s NFL all-star game, but for some strange reason Smith was not among those selected.
So what did the Minnesota safety do in his first game-action since being snubbed from the Pro Bowl? Nothing much, he just finished the Vikings’ game against the Green Bay Packers with a team-leading eight total tackles and two interceptions.
Smith’s play on Saturday versus the Packers had a lot to do with Minnesota getting a victory on Saturday and also earning the franchise’s first shutout win since 1993.
After his performance, the Vikings safety now has a total of five interceptions this year, tying his single-season career-high set back in 2014. In addition to his picks, Smith has also accumulated 72 total tackles, 11 pass deflections, and 1.5 sacks in 2017.
Minnesota quarterback Case Keenum may be the one getting some MVP votes this season, but Smith’s value to the team in 2017 is arguably the greatest of any Vikings players this year. His presence on the field each and every week has been a gigantic part of Minnesota having one of the NFL’s best defenses (if not the best) this season.
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With Smith in the lineup, the Vikings’ defense always has a chance to crush their opponent’s hopes of doing anything remotely productive.