MINNEAPOLIS — Harrison Smith has seen it all over the years.

The ups, the downs, the good, the bad and the ugly. Smith will find time to reflect fully on the significance of playing his 200^th NFL game, but standing at his locker Sunday afternoon, the sting of a 19-17 division loss held more weight.

It's exactly why The Hitman made it to Game 200.

He cares deeply about this game.

A solemn Smith spoke with media members postgame and did his best to summarize what likely are multiple mixed emotions.

"It's something I didn't set out thinking I'd do," he said of the benchmark. "But you know, being in a small group of guys that have done it with the Vikings is pretty special, just to be mentioned amongst those names.

"I got to see Scott Studwell and Carl Eller before the game, take a picture with them," Smith added. "So stuff like that, I know it'll mean a lot more as I age and get away from football, but it's hard not to think about the game right now. And that's — you know, that's why I'm here."

Smith was part of a Vikings defense that kept Minnesota in the game but couldn't come up with a much-needed turnover.

The Vikings did affect Caleb Williams, putting some pressure on him early and eventually sacking him twice in the fourth quarter. The Bears QB was 16-of-32 passing for 193 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions. His passer rating was 68.9.

Chicago's run game did some damage, though, with D'Andre Swift racking up 21 carries for 90 yards and Williams scrambling four times for 26 yards. Kyle Monangai had just 23 yards rushing on 12 carries but scored an easy touchdown late in the first half.

The Vikings also backed the Bears up behind the sticks multiple times but then allowed big plays. Chicago faced second-and-25 at the end of the first quarter, and Williams found Rome Odunze for a 24-yard gain, after which Swift picked up 3 yards for the first down. Midway through the third quarter, Williams hit Luther Burden III for 16 yards on third-and-13. After that conversion, the Bears gained 16, 18 and 11 yards on consecutive plays to set up a 33-yard field goal for a 16-3 lead.

Minnesota saw a glimmer of hope late in the game when J.J. McCarthy connected with Jordan Addison for a 15-yard, go-ahead touchdown. But a 56-yard return by Devin Duvernay set the Bears up at the Vikings 40. Swift carried three times: gained 4 yards, was tackled for a 2-yard loss by Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, then ran for 7 yards. That progress gave Cairo Santos just enough space to kick the decisive 48-yard field goal.

Joshua Metellus noted frustration that stems from confidence in the locker room but failure to execute.

"We know the team we have, the way this team is built," he said. "We know when we're firing on all cylinders, we have a chance to impact the game and give ourselves a chance to win, as we did today. We've just got to find a way to do that for 60 minutes and limit these types of situations where we give the kicker a chance to put the ball through the uprights and call it a game.

"Whenever we can find a way to play all 11 and be able to band together and play 60 minutes of good football, we find ourselves in the winning column," Metellus added.

It goes without saying the Vikings wanted — needed — a win Sunday, for multiple reasons. Perhaps more on the personal side, it was clear Smith's teammates wished they could have given him a victory on such a monumental day.

"To be on the field with a guy like that — that type of experience, that kind of impact, just that kind of person. It's special," said Metellus, wearing a Classic Purple 22 jersey. "It's just his love for the game. That's why he's our captain. That's why he's our leader. A guy who's dedicated and devoted to helping the team win and putting his body on the line 200 times.

"The way he plays, you just salute to him," Metellus continued.

Blake Cashman, who led the Vikings with 15 tackles, also used the word "special" to describe Smith's accomplishment.

"I told him before the game, 'That's sick, man.' Like, I'm at a loss for words," Cashman said. "Not many people get to have that privilege. That's a testament to everything he's done in his career, not only on the field but off the field, taking care of his body. He's a special player, and he's a special guy."

Though he isn't one to focus (at least right now) on the sentimental, Smith smiled when asked about his wife Madison sounding the Gjallarhorn before kickoff accompanied by the couple's young children, Eleanor and Pierce.

"Yeah, that's something that will be pretty cool to look back on for a long time," Smith said. "My wife was pretty nervous, so I'm glad it looked like she did a good job. And the kids, as well. It was pretty cool.

"It's kind of weird; when I'm 23 getting drafted here, you don't think about those things," he added. "So yeah, it's pretty special."

Smith took a moment to look around the locker room, eyes glancing across nameplates over lockers.

The 36-year-old is the only player remaining on the Vikings roster who's spent postgames in locker rooms at the Metrodome, University of Minnesota and now U.S. Bank Stadium.

"Yeah, there's a ton of memories," Smith said, allowing himself to briefly reflect. "Looking around here and seeing some of the guys I've played with … a lot of ups, downs, struggle, success. But to still be in it, that's what it's all about. So, I'm focused on being in it right now."

There's no giving up for Smith and the Vikings, regardless of struggles so far.

They'll stick together as a team, all three phases, and hold each other up as they continue trying to right the ship.

"There's no other option," Smith said frankly. "It's the only thing you can do. It's the only way to improve and give yourself a chance; anything else is not productive. There's an emotional aspect to it, and there's also just a logical aspect to it, and that's what we've got to do.

"We've got a good group of guys that wants to do just that," he continued. "So that makes it easier to push forward, doing what we've got to do."

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