EAGAN, Minn. – There were plenty of defensive plays to highlight in Minnesota's defeat of Detroit on Sunday, but we asked Vikings fans to pick just one.
More than 5,300 people voiced their opinions in this week's "Filtered by the Fans" Twitter poll, which asked fans to vote among interceptions by Eric Kendricks, Eric Wilson or Harrison Smith, or to choose an "other" category.
Kendricks' pick of Matthew Stafford in the end zone came out on top, earning 43.6 percent of the votes.
Wilson's interception of Stafford – the first one of the day – earned 31.2 percent of the votes, and Smith's interception of backup quarterback Chase Daniel received 20.9 percent. The "other" category drew 4.3 percent of votes.
Kendricks' splash play occurred late in the third quarter and stopped the Lions from getting back into the game. On third-and-goal from the 5, Stafford targeted tight end T.J. Hockenson in the paint. Kendricks read the play all the way, though, executing perfect coverage and tapping his toes in-bounds for the pick.
He and his teammates followed up the play with a group pose for the camera.
Vikings Head Coach Mike Zimmer was asked about Kendricks during his Monday media session and spoke highly of the linebacker's instincts.
"He's a good player because … Eric sees things really well. He's got an idea of what the play might be, and then he anticipates," Zimmer said. "He's one of those guys who's better when he can just go and play football, I think. He anticipates things so well, and that allows him to play fast and make plays. The interception he made in the end zone was a double move on the tight end and was really a good play."
Wilson's interception also occurred in the third quarter, just a few minutes before Kendricks'. This one also halted a Detroit drive deep in Minnesota territory, and it was another over-the-middle throw by Stafford to Hockenson.
"That couldn't have come at a better time!" CBS play-by-play caller Kevin Harlan said over the broadcast.
The Vikings third and final pick of the divisional matchup happened in the fourth quarter. Stafford had left the game in concussion protocol, and Daniel was in for just his fourth play of the game. On first-and-10 from the Detroit 41-yard line, Daniel overthrew – stop me if you've heard this before – Hockenson, connecting instead with a waiting Smith.
The pick marked Smith's second of the season and 25th of his career, which ranks third all-time among safeties in Vikings history behind Paul Krause (53) and Joey Browner (37) and seventh overall.
Additional "write-ins" for this week's Twitter poll included a vote for Kris Boyd's breakup of the Lions first play, as well as multiple mentions of rookie cornerback Jeff Gladney.
"[Interceptions] were most impactful, but I enjoyed the play where Gladney jumped off his receiver and got to the [line of scrimmage] on the quick pass to the slot WR when we blitzed," wrote Jeff O.
