EAGAN, Minn. — How did No. 35 feel compared to No. 1?

Vikings safety Harrison Smith laughed in symphony with media members standing in a half-circle in front of his locker Monday, about 24 hours after Minnesota's vanquishing of the Giants at MetLife Stadium.

"My heart rate was lower this time," the 13-year veteran smiled. "It's still pretty sweet just getting the ball in your hands. I didn't have any [interceptions] last year, so it was kind of bothering me all offseason."

Smith corralled his 35^th career interception, and first since Dec. 4, 2022, near the start of the final frame of the season-opening Vikings win. He caught it in the end zone on fourth-and-8 and was tempted to try and return it 100-odd yards, he said, but thought better – the score was lopsided, and he's smarter.

"I was done for the rest of the game," Smith recalled of his initial interception on Oct. 21, 2012, off Cardinals quarterback John Skelton, which he returned 31 yards for a touchdown. "I played the rest of the game, but I had nothing left, I was so tapped out. I've learned to keep a little bit of calmness."

And presumably reserve energy for what's ahead.

Smith was pleased with the team's defensive debut Sunday. His top takeaway was enjoying playing together, "because those things tend to be kind of contagious and grow. So as long as we can keep searching for 'even better' and just keep pushing forward, I like where we're at," Smith commented.

The group underwent a makeover in the spring and summer, bringing in splash players such as Andrew Van Ginkel (who one-upped Smith with a fantastic – and freakishly athletic – pick six in the third quarter) and veteran cornerbacks Stephon Gilmore and Shaq Griffin to reinforce a previously young position.

After an 0-4 finish in 2023, a win out the gate is a positive. Leave it at that.

"It's not a one-game season, so we don't want to think we're the best all of a sudden," Smith said.

The six-time Pro Bowl selection touched on varying topics present in Sunday's success: Defenders swarming to the football and executing the plan laid out by Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores and his staff; Ivan Pace, Jr., and his interesting way of making unorthodox plays; Van Ginkel's everywhereness.

"He's really good," Smith cracked. "He's got a lot to his game."

Of course, the overall dominance was relished.

The highlights included the following: Sam Darnold completing his first 12 passes – Smith observed that the new quarterback's performance permeated confidence; Vikings fans turning the road trip into a home-crowd atmosphere – Smith showed appreciation for their consistently strong traveling; and defensive coaches flocking to the end zone after Van Ginkel's lightning quick interception, which apparently led to Head Coach Kevin O'Connell getting a warning from officials and passing it along via his headset.

On the involvement of Vikings coaches, Smith was candid.

"It's their work, too," he expressed. "There's a lot that goes into this even beyond coaches. The feeling and the respect and understanding of how many people it takes to be successful on game day, we're pretty aware of that, and if everybody wants to celebrate, that's even better. We'll take a warning."

Smith definitely still has it – you know, the X-factor instincts that have piloted his future Hall of Fame candidacy. He demonstrated it Sunday, ranking second on the Vikings with seven tackles. Per Pro Football Focus, Smith allowed a single catch for 15 yards on three targets and earned a 90.4 defensive grade on 67 snaps (12 points higher than any mark he attained in 2023). Yeah, "Hitman" has still got it.

Smith is the only player on an NFL roster right now with 35 career interceptions. Former Vikings cornerback Patrick Peterson has 36 but is a free agent. Three other active players have picked 33 passes.

And then there's Gilmore with 31. For what it's worth, Griffin has seven – and 64 passes defended.

Smith said the experience of his new teammates flashed on the tape of Sunday's resounding win. They made reads "gray" for Giants quarterback Daniel Jones. The anticipatory skills combined with the cornerbacks' history of affecting passes caused Jones to pause in their direction, according to Smith.

The group's performance helped Smith procure his fourth career Week 1 interception, a Vikings franchise record.

"Jerry Gray used to say, 'You get a lot of opportunities early,' and it pretty much holds true," explained Smith, nodding at wisdom from the former Vikings defensive backs coach (2014-19) and NFL cornerback. "It's not always how it is, but normally teams are still figuring stuff out a bit so you might get a couple more opportunities."

It seems fitting that Smith snatched No. 35 at the beginning of his age-35 season.

Father Time comes for everybody eventually. Just not Smith – not yet.

"Not really," Smith replied after he was asked if 35 interceptions feels like a lot. "I've dropped my fair share, so there was more out there – there's still more out there. Thirty-five is cool for now. I don't plan on stopping."