Harrison Smith Makes History: Named NFC Defensive Player of the Week After Milestone Game

Eagan, MN — Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith has been named the NFC Defensive Player of the Week following a standout performance in the Vikings’ Week 17 victory over the Detroit Lions, the NFL announced Wednesday.

Smith, making his 202nd career start—a mark that ranks third in Vikings franchise history behind legends Jim Marshall (270) and Mick Tingelhoff (240)—delivered a vintage all-around effort. The veteran safety totaled three tackles (two for loss), recorded his first sack of the season, notched an interception (his second of the year and 39th of his career), and broke up three passes.

With 21.5 career sacks and 39 interceptions, Smith joins Ronde Barber as the only players in NFL history to reach both milestones, underscoring his rare versatility and impact. The sack also marked Smith’s 50th career tackle for loss, making him just the 10th defensive back since 1999 to hit that benchmark. He’s now one of only four players in NFL history to record at least 50 tackles for loss and 100 passes defensed while appearing in 200 or more games, joining Charles Woodson, Brian Dawkins, and Ronde Barber.

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Smith’s Week 17 performance was the first in the NFL since 2023 (Antoine Winfield Jr.) to feature at least one interception, one sack, three passes defensed, and two tackles for loss in a single game. It was also the fourth time in Smith’s career that he’s posted a game with both a sack and an interception, making him just the eighth defensive back in league history to achieve that feat in at least four games.

This is the third time Smith has earned NFC Player of the Week honors (previous: Week 16 of 2017, Week 1 of 2018). He becomes the fourth Viking to win an NFC Player of the Week award this season, joining QB J.J. McCarthy (Offensive, Week 1), CB Isaiah Rodgers (Defensive, Week 3), and DL Levi Drake Rodriguez (Special Teams, Week 9).

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Since Head Coach Kevin O’Connell took over, the Vikings have earned 18 NFC Player of the Week honors across all phases, with seven coming on defense under coordinator Brian Flores. Smith’s achievement is the latest in a growing list of individual accolades for Minnesota during O’Connell’s tenure, reflecting the team’s culture of excellence and veteran leadership.

Notable Vikings NFC Player of the Week Winners Under Kevin O’Connell:

• Greg Joseph (K), Ryan Wright (P), Za’Darius Smith (OLB), Justin Jefferson (WR), Kene Nwangwu (KR), Kirk Cousins (QB), Jordan Hicks (LB), Camryn Bynum (S), Joshua Dobbs (QB), Ivan Pace Jr. (LB), Jonathan Greenard (OLB), Sam Darnold (QB), Andrew Van Ginkel (OLB), J.J. McCarthy (QB), Isaiah Rodgers (CB), Levi Drake Rodriguez (DL), Harrison Smith (S)

Smith’s performance and recognition further cement his legacy as one of the most impactful defensive backs of his era and a cornerstone of the Vikings’ defense.

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