NFL Insider: Vikings' Smith knows picking off Packers next to impossible

Harrison Smith is good and smart. Good enough to have four interceptions through 10 games and smart enough not to tell a reporter how many more he needs in the final six games to reach his lofty goal for the season.

The first part is good because it leads the NFC and is tied for third in the NFL. The second part is smart because telling a reporter your lofty goals turns every ensuing mass interview session into the media's distorted definition of failure.

"I do have goals, but not just for interceptions," said Smith, who has nine picks and a Vikings franchise record-tying three touchdown returns in only 34 regular-season games. "I have a whole spectrum of goals. People notice the interceptions, but to be a complete player, you have to do your job and then just make sure you catch the ball if it comes your way."

Smith was working on that last part extra hard Wednesday. After an overtime session of catching passes from the Jugs machine, he was the last Vikings player to leave the field by more than 10 minutes.

So, Harrison, how much do you think that Jugs thing helps?

"Every guy finds what they need to do," he said. "For me, just touching the ball, just being used to, 'It's my ball. I'm going to catch it and tuck it away.' I think it's just a habit that I always want to have."

Sunday at TCF Bank Stadium, Smith and the Vikings face one of the hardest guys to intercept in NFL history. Since he became a starter for Green Bay in 2008, Aaron Rodgers' interception percentage of 1.7 ranks No. 2 behind Tom Brady's 1.6.

Asked why Rodgers' interception percentage is so low, Vikings coach Mike Zimmer mentioned his arm strength first.

"The ball gets there fast, even when you got guys covered," Zimmer said.

Obviously, there's more to it than that. Accuracy helps, as do receivers knowing exactly where to be and a system that has been in place since 2006.

Rodgers has thrown 438 passes for the Packers in 13 regular-season games and one playoff meeting against the Vikings. He has 31 touchdown passes and four interceptions. That's a big reason he is 10-4 against the Vikings.

Rodgers is 2-1 against the Vikings in games in which he has thrown an interception. That includes a Packers victory in 2010 when he was picked off by Jared Allen and Madieu Williams.

That may explain Smith's extra work on the Jugs machine this week. With one more interception, he would be the first Vikings player with more than four in one season since Darren Sharper had nine in 2005.

Assistant equipment manager Adam Groene usually helps Smith get the most out of the Jugs machine.

"Adam always comes up with a different way for me to catch the ball," Smith said. "I'll have my back turned and he'll say, 'Ball' and I have to turn and try to find it real quick. Sort of catch the flash."

Does Smith turn up the velocity on the Jugs machine on the weeks he faces Rodgers?

"I probably should," he said.

A head count of NFL players in their 13th season or higher turned up 27 names. Throw out the kickers, punters and a long snapper and the list includes only 20 men.

That's 1.2 percent of the league's 1,696 active players. Eight of them play defense. And one of them is Packers linebacker Julius Peppers, who, at 34, is well on his way to a ninth Pro Bowl with a team-high five sacks and two interceptions, both of which he returned for touchdowns.

So, Julius, what's the key to longevity in the NFL?

"Just having a purpose and coming to work with a purpose every day," said Peppers, who last week became the first player in NFL history with at least 100 sacks and four interception returns for touchdowns.

"Taking care of your body. And, you know, having a little bit of luck in there as well, as far as staying injury-free."

Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri, 41, leads all players. In his 19th season, Vinatieri is the only active player who was in the league before 1998. He went undrafted out of South Dakota State in 1995 and debuted with the Patriots in 1996.

"My advice is just take care of your body when you're not here," Peppers said. "Train hard in the offseason, work with a purpose and try to stay injury-free as best you can."

• It's a passing league, but the top three defensive teams (Lions, Dolphins, Seahawks) are a combined 19-11, while the top three offensive teams (Colts, Saints, Broncos) are 16-13.

• The NFC South is led by Atlanta and its 32nd-ranked defense. The NFC North is led by Detroit and its No. 1-ranked defense.

• The Cowboys are the NFL's only undefeated team on the road (4-0, including a game in London).

• The Cardinals' plus-11 turnover margin will go down in a loss at Seattle.

1 Statement game: Arizona at Seattle

The Seahawks are hard to beat at home, and the Cardinals are using second-string QB Drew Stanton for the rest of the season. Logic says Seattle rolls in this one, but Arizona has the NFL's best record and a chance to show it is for real.

2 Defense only goes so far: Detroit at New England

The Lions' vaunted defense will be tested by Tom Brady, right, and the red-hot Patriots. Forget about Jonas Gray — he was just proof the Pats can plug in a rent-a-back and still cruise.

A mere five feet of snow will prevent the Bills from enjoying a home-field advantage, as this game moves to Detroit on Monday night … remember how that goes, Vikings fans?

4 Someone stop the Dolphins! Miami at Denver

The Dolphins seem to be working up a head of steam, and we know the Broncos are good. But Denver has been awfully inconsistent, and the Ponies have to be hoping Peyton Manning gives them a smooth ride down the stretch.

5 Recapturing the magic Baltimore at New Orleans

Shouldn't these teams be sailing for the playoffs? If they don't rebound soon, we will count them as over the hill and in need of rebuilding.

GB -8½ at MIN

Packers 37, Vikings 21

Under statute No. 1.234, which governs competitive balance, Christian Ponder will be suspended for three hours on Sunday.

CLE +3 at ATL

Browns by 7

TEN +11 at PHI

Eagles by 14

Unable to learn anything about either team, Goodell has asked TMZ if anything's up.

DET +7 at NE

Patriots by 10

JAX +14 at IND

Colts by 17

It's not that Roger is impatient, but he has ordered that we now call them the London Jaguars.

CIN +1½ at HOU

Texans by 3

TB +6 at CHI

Buccaneers by 3

At 2-8, Lovie Smith will be fired and/or win the NFC South.

ARI +7 at SEA

Seahawks by 8

STL +5 at SD

Chargers by 7

Goodell will be in San Diego to throw out the first Los Angeles relocation threat.

MIA +7 at DEN

Broncos by 14

WAS +9 at SF

49ers by 7

The nickname has been changed! Half the player he used to be, RG III will now go by RG 1½.

NYJ +3 vs. BUF

Bills by 4

BAL +3½ at NO

Saints by 7

Rule 5.123 states that if Ray Rice is reinstated and messes up again, the next guy who messes up will be buried next to Jimmy Hoffa in Giants Stadium.

DAL -3½ at NYG

Giants 27, Cowboys 21

Record

Last week/overall: 6-7/ 89-60-1

vs. spread: 6-7/ 73-77

Vikings picks: 7-3