Minnesota Vikings MVPs: Week 16 vs. the Detroit Lions
By Adam Carlson
Honorable Mention – Defense
The Minnesota Vikings defense as a whole was great against the Lions. For the second straight game against Detroit, no touchdowns were allowed and it was only three field goals on the scoreboard for the Honolulu Blue.
Harrison Smith, safety
Third on the team in total tackles with seven in Week 16, Harrison Smith once again patrolled the field with a passion. His ability to play coverage, track running backs, or even rush the quarterback makes him one the toughest players to plan for from the opposing offense’s perspective.
Smith had 6 solo tackles during the game and two of his stops were for a loss. He also broke up a pass, showcasing his multitude of skills which make him an obvious choice for the Pro Bowl each season.
Eric Wilson, linebacker
When given opportunities on the field, Eric Wilson has shined. This week, Eric Wilson filled in for the injured Eric Kendricks and played a great game, finishing the game with the most total tackles at nine (eight solo).
But it wasn’t just tackling where Wilson looked good. He had three hits on the Lions quarterbacks and three tackles for a loss as well, with one of those being a sack. Once he gets his coverage tightened up, he could be some great competition to become a starter in the future.