Top 5 moments from the Vikings’ Week 1 win over the 49ers

1. Harrison seals the win with a pick

Despite earning a First-Team All-Pro selection last season, Vikings safety Harrison Smith seems to still be one of the most under-appreciated players in the NFL today.

Well, Smith maintained his All-Pro level of play on Sunday with a magnificent performance against the 49ers. Without him on the field, Minnesota might not have ended up with a win on Sunday.

With the Vikings up by eight points in the fourth quarter, San Francisco’s offense had one last chance to tie the game. Facing a 2nd and 10 from their own 11-yard line, 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo fired a pass down the middle of the field right into Smith’s hands.

The interception capped off a performance by the Minnesota safety on Sunday that saw him finish with eight tackles (two for a loss), one sack, one pass deflection, and one fumble recovery in addition to the pick.

Smith may not only be the best player on the Vikings’ defense, but he may end up in contention for the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year award in 2018 if he keeps turning in performances like the one he had against the 49ers.