Smith’s History with the Vikings

Three-time Pro Bowl receiver Steve Smith is coming off his two-game suspension with the Panthers, focusing all sights on Minnesota, the team he’s known for abusing. Smith’s past with the Vikings is an impressive one – if you’re a Panthers fan – and this 0-2 Minnesota team needs to step up their game if they want to be ready for Smith and the impressive Carolina team this upcoming weekend.

Smith’s past with the Vikings includes a couple of Minnesota slaughterings, most memorably:

• 2001, when Smith (a rookie back then) embarrassed an experienced Minnesota team, taking the opening kickoff of the season-opening game 93 yards for a touchdown. He was the first player to do so since 1980.
•2005, when Smith outran, outperformed and outgamed cornerback Fred Smoot, finishing the season matchup against the Vikings with 11 catches for 201 yards.

Steve Smith always plays well against the Vikings, and the fire is already lit for Sunday’s Carolina/Minnesota matchup. With Smith coming off a two-game hiatus, the receiver has to be just itching to get back on the playing field, so look for his explosive tactics to dominate this weekend’s game.

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