EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — Vikings defenders Everson Griffen and Harrison Smith have received a strong showing in fan voting for the 2015 Pro Bowl, but could still benefit from a final push.
Griffen has the fourth-most votes from fans for a defensive end, and Smith has the fourth-most among free safeties. Jerome Felton is 10th among fullbacks, and Cordarrelle Patterson is 10th among return specialists.
Fan voting for the 2015 Pro Bowl closes Dec. 15 (**click here** to vote for Vikings players). Nomination of players also includes peer voting and submission of votes by coaching staffs across the league for the game that will be held Jan. 25 in Arizona, one week before Super Bowl XLIX.
Former Vikings receiver Cris Carter will field a team from the nominated players with help selecting from fellow Hall of Famer and former Vikings defensive tackle John Randle.
Griffen, who is in his first year as a starter and fifth with the Vikings, leads the team and ranks second in the NFC with 12 sacks (tied for sixth overall). Griffen also leads the team with 20 tackles for loss and 51 quarterback hurries.
Smith is tied for fifth in the NFL with four interceptions on the season and is the only player this season with at least three interceptions and 3.0 sacks.