On his own time, Smith made it happen.
“I was, I mean, really just doing what I’m coached to do and allowing football athleticism (to) take over,” Smith offered. “I wasn’t sure I was going to get there at first, but I’d probably do a little better on the return (if I redid it). A little too quick to look to pitch [the football to a defensive teammate] these days.”
Smith gained 11 yards on his return, taking his career interception return yardage to 509. Four plays later, J.J. McCarthy pitched a 6-yard pass to Josh Oliver for six points. It was the duo’s second TD connection of the game, and the QB’s second of three overall.
“He did a great job, just standing in there, delivering throws, making things happen with his feet,” Smith appreciated the 22-year-old, who posted a career-high 129.2 passer rating. “You could tell, he looked – in my opinion – he looked his most comfortable of the year. It’s definitely a big step in the right direction.”
In addition to McCarthy having his strongest game, Smith and the Vikings defense played lights out. Three takeaways, two sacks and a stinginess in weighty moments – the Commanders failed on seven of 10 third-down tries and converted just once on three fourth downs – helped the Vikings become the first team in 33 years, since the 1992 Broncos, to blank an opponent one week after suffering that same fate.
Washington ran it well, garnering 107 yards on 23 carries (4.7 avg.), but couldn’t overcome critical mistakes, or find a rhythm after marching 83 yards on 15 plays to start the game only to turn the ball over on downs at Minnesota’s 2 (after three straight incompletions, including one targeting a lineman).