Notre Dame in the NFL, Week 13: Harrison Smith interception, pass breakup help Vikings beat Jets
Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith ended the Jets’ opening drive and helped stomp out a comeback on their final possession in a 27-22 win. The former Notre Dame star intercepted a tipped pass on the fourth play from scrimmage, setting up the Vikings inside the Jets’ 35-yard line for an eventual field goal.
The other safety, Camryn Bynum, deserves an assist on the play. He broke on a throw over the middle intended for receiver Corey Davis and tipped the ball into the air despite swatting down at it. Smith was behind the play and snagged the ball out of midair. Right spot, right time.
Smith’s play in the final minute, though, might have been more impactful.
The Jets began their last drive at Minnesota’s 43-yard line, down 27-22 with 1:18 left. They reached the 19-yard line in two plays. Smith was part of the reason they went no further. He broke up a pass intended for Jets receiver Garrett Wilson on second-and-10, bringing up a third-and-long with 23 seconds to go. Two more incompletions sealed the Vikings’ victory.
Smith ended the game with an interception and two passes broken up. The other deflection came right before halftime on a deep ball intended for Wilson, who briefly had the ball in his grasp before Smith knocked it out from behind.
The pick was Smith’s first since Week 9. His 5 interceptions are third in the NFL and tied a career high.
Smith is one of more than 40 former Notre Dame players who are on an NFL roster or practice squad. Here’s a look at how each fared in Week 13.
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Kevin Austin Jr. (Played at Notre Dame from 2018-21), WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
Signed to the Jaguars’ practice squad after being released during final preseason roster cuts and has not appeared in a game.
Aaron Banks (2017-20), OG, San Francisco 49ers
This week: Started at left guard, and allowed 1 sack and 3 pressures in the 49ers’ 33-17 win over the Dolphins.
Season: 12 games (all starts), 1 sack and 24 pressures allowed, 61.7 Pro Football Focus overall grade.
Alex Bars (2014-18), OL, Las Vegas Raiders
This week: Started at right guard and allowed 2 pressures in the Raiders’ 27-20 win over the Chargers.
Season: 11 games (10 starts), 3 sacks and 26 pressures allowed, 49.1 PFF overall grade.
Ian Book (2016-20), QB, Philadelphia Eagles
This week: Inactive for Eagles’ 35-10 win over the Titans.
Season: Has not appeared in a game.
Miles Boykin (2015-18), WR, Pittsburgh Steelers
This week: 8 offensive snaps and 13 special teams snaps in the Steelers’ 19-16 win over the Falcons.
Season: 11 games, 7 tackles (147 special teams snaps), 1 catch for 11 yards.
Chase Claypool (2016-19), WR, Chicago Bears
This week: 5 catches for 28 yards and a lost fumble in the Bears’ 28-19 loss to the Packers.
Season: 13 games (11 starts), 44 catches for 422 yards and 1 touchdown, and 9 carries for 59 yards between the Bears and Steelers … Traded to the Bears Nov. 1.
Scott Daly (2012-15), LS, Detroit Lions
This week: Was the long snapper in the Lions’ 40-14 win over the Jaguars.
Season: Has played in 12 games.
Liam Eichenberg (2016-20), OL, Miami Dolphins
This week: Did not play (placed on injured reserve Nov. 1 with an MCL sprain).
Season: Eight games (all starts), 2 sacks and 19 pressures allowed, 44.9 PFF overall grade.
Matthias Farley (2011-15), S, Las Vegas Raiders
This week: 1 tackle in 23 special teams snaps in the Raiders’ 27-20 win over the Chargers.
Season: 11 games, 10 tackles, 255 special teams snaps.
Alohi Gilman (2017-19), S, Los Angeles Chargers
This week: 6 defensive snaps and 20 special teams snaps in the Chargers’ 27-20 loss to the Raiders.
Season: 12 games (two starts), 33 tackles, 1 interception, 1 pass broken up.
Robert Hainsey (2017-20), C, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
This week: Started at center and allowed 0 pressures in the Bucs’ 17-16 win over the Saints.
Season: 12 games (all starts), 0 sacks and 15 pressures allowed, 68.4 PFF overall grade.
Kyle Hamilton (2019-21), S, Baltimore Ravens
This week: 5 tackles in the Ravens’ 10-9 win over the Broncos.
Season: 11 games, 34 tackles, 1 sack, 2 passes broken up, 1 forced fumble.
Daelin Hayes (2016-20), DE, Baltimore Ravens
Waived/injured by the Ravens at final cuts and placed on injured reserve.
Kurt Hinish (2017-21), DT, Houston Texans
This week: Made 1 tackle in the Texans’ 27-14 loss to the Browns.
Season: 11 games (three starts), 16 tackles, 8 pressures.
J.J. Jansen (2004-07), LS, Carolina Panthers
This week: Off.
Season: Has played in 12 games.
Jamir Jones (2016-19), DL, Pittsburgh Steelers
This week: 10 special teams snaps in the Steelers’ 19-16 win over the Falcons.
Season: 12 games, 7 tackles, 1 pass broken up.
Tony Jones Jr. (2016-19), RB, Seattle Seahawks
This week: 7 carries for 14 yards and 2 catches for 9 yards in the Seahawks’ 27-23 win over the Rams … Legally blind when he dropped 2 passes because of a hit that knocked out his contacts.
Season: Three games, 9 carries for 22 yards and 4 catches for 21 yards between the Saints and the Seahawks … Waived by the Saints Oct. 8 and claimed by the Seahawks Oct. 10.
Khalid Kareem (2016-19), DL, Indianapolis Colts
This week: Inactive for the Colts’ 54-19 loss to the Cowboys.
Season: Has not appeared in a game … Signed by Indianapolis off the Cincinnati Bengals’ practice squad Nov. 22 … Signed to the Bengals’ practice squad Oct. 13 two days after the team placed him on waivers … Activated from injured reserve Oct. 10 after missing the Bengals’ first five games due to a hamstring injury.
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Cole Kmet (2017-19), TE, Chicago Bears
This week: 6 receptions for 72 yards in the Bears’ 28-19 loss to the Packers.
Season: 13 games (all starts), 35 catches for 408 yards and 5 touchdowns.
Tommy Kraemer (2016-20), OL, Detroit Lions
Placed on injured reserve with a back injury Sept. 15 … Has not appeared in a game this season.
Julian Love (2016-18), S, New York Giants
This week: 12 tackles in the Giants’ 20-20 tie versus the Commanders.
Season: 12 games (all starts), 96 tackles, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery, 2 passes broken up and 2 interceptions.
Nick Martin (2011-15), C, Washington Commanders
This week: Played 19 snaps at center, allowing 0 pressures, in the Commanders’ 20-20 tie versus the Giants.
Season: Three games (two starts), 4 pressures allowed, 42.6 PFF overall grade.
Zack Martin (2009-13), OG, Dallas Cowboys
This week: Started at right guard and allowed 2 pressures in the Cowboys’ 54-19 win over the Colts.
Season: 12 games (all starts), 15 pressures allowed, 70.7 PFF overall grade.
Nick McCloud (2020), CB/S, New York Giants
This week: Started and made 8 tackles and broke up 2 passes in the Giants’ 20-20 tie against the Commanders.
Season: Nine games (three starts), 27 tackles, 3 passes broken up.
Mike McGlinchey (2013-17), OT, San Francisco 49ers
This week: Started at right tackle and allowed 2 pressures in the 49ers’ 33-17 win over the Dolphins.
Season: 12 games (all starts), 5 sacks and 20 pressures allowed, 68.0 PFF overall grade.
Sam Mustipher (2014-18), C, Chicago Bears
This week: Started at center and allowed 2 pressures in the Bears’ 28-19 loss to the Packers.
Season: 13 games (12 starts), 2 sacks and 16 pressures allowed, 64.7 PFF overall grade.
Quenton Nelson (2014-17), OG, Indianapolis Colts
This week: Started at left guard and allowed 1 sack and 3 pressures in the Colts’ 54-19 loss to the Cowboys.
Season: 13 games (all starts), 3 sacks and 24 pressures allowed, 68.4 PFF overall grade.
Adetokunbo Ogundeji (2016-20), DE, Atlanta Falcons
This week: 7 tackles in the Falcons’ 19-16 loss to the Steelers.
Season: 12 games (all starts), 35 tackles, 1 sack.
Julian Okwara (2016-19), LB, Detroit Lions
This week: Placed on injured reserve with an elbow injury Dec. 3.
Season: 10 games (two starts), 17 tackles, 12 pressures, 2 sacks.
Romeo Okwara (2012-15), DE, Detroit Lions
This week: Activated from the physically unable to perform list Sunday, but did not play in Lions’ 40-14 win over the Jaguars.
Season: Has not played.
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Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (2017-20), LB, Cleveland Browns
This week: 5 tackles in the Browns’ 27-14 win over the Texans.
Season: 11 games (10 starts), 59 tackles, 3 passes broken up, 2 forced fumbles.
Isaac Rochell (2013-16), DL, Cleveland Browns
This week: Signed to Browns practice squad Nov. 15 after clearing waivers.
Season: Six games (one start) and 12 tackles … Began the season on the practice squad and was signed to the 53-man roster Sept. 21, but was waived Nov. 12.
Kyle Rudolph (2008-10), TE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
This week: Active and played 9 snaps in the Bucs’ 17-16 win over the Saints.
Season: Six games, 46 offensive snaps, 2 catches for 20 yards.
Ben Skowronek (2020), WR, Los Angeles Rams
This week: 2 catches for 30 yards in the Rams’ 27-23 loss to the Seahawks.
Season: 12 games (nine starts), 31 catches for 284 yards, 1 carry for 17 yards and a touchdown.
Harrison Smith (2007-11), S, Minnesota Vikings
This week: 8 tackles, 1 interception and 2 passes broken up in the Vikings’ 27-22 win over the Jets.
Season: 11 games (all starts), 72 tackles, 5 interceptions, 5 passes broken up.
Jaylon Smith (2013-15), LB, New York Giants
This week: 5 tackles in the Giants’ 20-20 tie against the Commanders.
Season: Nine games (seven starts), 51 tackles, 1 fumble recovery.
Durham Smythe (2013-17), TE, Miami Dolphins
This week: 2 catches for 21 yards in the Dolphins’ 33-17 loss to the 49ers.
Season: 11 games (10 starts), 9 catches for 75 yards and 1 touchdown, 2 rushing attempts for 1 yard and 1 touchdown.
Equanimeous St. Brown (2015-17), WR, Chicago Bears
This week: 3 catches for 85 yards and a 1-yard carry in the Bears’ 28-19 loss to the Packers.
Season: 13 games (all starts), 17 catches for 280 yards and 1 touchdown, 6 carries for 54 yards.
Ronnie Stanley (2012-15), OT, Baltimore Ravens
This week: Missed the Ravens’ 10-9 win over the Broncos due to an ankle injury.
Season: Six games (all starts), 3 pressures allowed, 73.9 PFF overall grade.
Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa (2017-21), DL, Las Vegas Raiders
Placed on the Raiders’ practice squad reserve/injured list Nov. 3 … Signed to the Raiders’ practice squad Aug. 31 after team waived him during final cuts.
Jerry Tillery (2015-18), DT, Las Vegas Raiders
This week: Started and played 55 defensive snaps with 2 tackles and 6 pressures in the Raiders’ 27-20 win over the Chargers.
Season: 10 games (one start), 11 tackles, 16 pressures, 1 sack between the Raiders and Chargers … Waived by the Chargers Nov. 10 and claimed by the Raiders Nov. 14.
Drue Tranquill (2014-18), LB, Los Angeles Chargers
This week: 5 tackles in the Chargers’ 27-20 loss to the Raiders.
Season: 12 games (11 starts), 103 tackles, 3 sacks, 1 pass broken up, 1 interception.
Tommy Tremble (2018-20), TE, Carolina Panthers
This week: Off.
Season: 12 games (three starts), 11 catches for 101 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Kyren Williams (2019-21), RB, Los Angeles Rams
This week: 3 carries for 9 yards in the Rams’ 27-23 loss to the Seahawks.
Season: Five games, 22 carries for 89 yards, 7 catches for 63 yards … Activated from injured reserve Nov. 12 after missing seven games due to a high ankle sprain.
Brock Wright (2017-20), TE, Detroit Lions
This week: 2 catches for 25 yards in the Lions’ 40-14 win over the Jaguars.
Season: 12 games (six starts), 13 catches, 141 yards 1 touchdown.
