Week 4 Was Historic for the Longest-Tenured Viking
Josh Frey
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The Vikings captured their first win of the season in Week 4, largely behind a strong defensive effort in the second half.
Minnesota allowed no points over the final 30 minutes of the game, and their offense did just enough for the team to take home a 21-13 victory. It was a game that the Vikings desperately needed to win in order to keep some hope alive for the playoffs. With the Lions holding a 3-1 record and leading the NFC North, Minnesota couldn’t afford to fall behind by three games.
The Vikings’ winning effort occurred because of the contributions of a number of different players. However, it was catalyzed by their 34-year-old safety, Harrison Smith.
Week 4 Was Historic for the Longest-Tenured Viking
When a player has been in the NFL for as long as Smith, it can be hard to find new milestones and accomplishments to unearth. He is in the middle of his 12th season with the Vikings since being selected in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft by the team.
However, in Smith’s 163rd career NFL game, the veteran safety found a way to accomplish a feat that no player had ever done before him in NFL history.
Smith recorded 14 combined tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, and a forced fumble during the Vikings win, becoming the first player in NFL history with at least 14+ tackles, 3+ sacks, and a forced fumble in a single game (per Stathead).
Not only did Smith put up historic statistics, but he came through just when the Vikings needed him most. After the Vikings went three-and-out on their first possession of the second half, the Panthers had a chance to extend their 13-7 lead and really take control of the game. It seemed like they were on the verge of doing just that as a 10-play drive took them all the way down to Minnesota’s 26-yard-line.
That’s when Smith put the Superman cape on and got his first sack of the game. It was a strip sack that D.J. Wonnum picked up around midfield and returned 51 yards to the end zone. Not only did Smith stop the Panthers from extending their lead, but he gave the Vikings their first lead of the game.
Then, with Minnesota up 21-13 and Carolina trying to get into the end zone one more time at the end of the game, Smith came up huge again. The Panthers had found their way to the Vikings’ 9-yard-line, but this is where the safety would pick up his final two sacks of the game.
Smith got to Young on 2nd and Goal, and again, with the game on the line, Smith sacked the rookie QB on 4th and Goal, essentially putting an end to Carolina’s comeback effort.
When the Vikings needed him most, Smith showed up on Sunday. It was a fantastic effort from Minnesota’s defensive captain, and hopefully, this Week 4 win can prove to be a launching point into the rest of the season.
This upcoming weekend, Minnesota will get another huge test against the defending champion Kansas City Chiefs. They will need another big performance from their veteran safety in order to get another win.
Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho and managing editor of PurplePTSD.com. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.