Overview
- In Week 17, the Vikings safety logged three tackles (two for loss), a sack, an interception and three passes defended in Minnesota’s 23-10 victory.
- Minnesota’s defense forced six turnovers and sacked Jared Goff five times, a dominance that knocked Detroit out of playoff contention.
- The game marked Smith’s 202nd career start and his third career Defensive Player of the Week honor, following awards in 2017 and 2018.
- Smith’s totals now stand at 39 interceptions and 21.5 sacks, making him one of two players, with Ronde Barber, to reach both marks.
- He became the fourth Viking to earn a weekly conference award this season, joining J.J. McCarthy, Isaiah Rodgers and Levi Drake Rodriguez, with a potential 40th interception still within reach in the finale.