One rough game doesn’t erase all the impressive performances Sam Darnold has delivered this season. However, his struggles on Sunday night, especially given the high stakes of the game, present a tough challenge for both Darnold and the Minnesota Vikings as they prepare for their postseason journey to Los Angeles.
Darnold, who was recently named to the Pro Bowl, has been a standout this year, making an incredible comeback and playing a key role in the Vikings’ 14-2 record heading into their rivalry showdown. But in this crucial game, he faltered.
He completed just 18 of 41 passes (43.9% completion rate) for 166 yards and no touchdowns, taking two sacks in the 31-9 loss at Ford Field. Prior to this, Darnold had posted a passer rating above 100 in 13 out of 16 games, with his rating in this game plummeting to 55.5 — his third-worst of the season. Though he didn’t throw any interceptions, his performance was a letdown for the Vikings.
Darnold acknowledged his mistakes after the game, saying, “Just gotta hit the throws.” Many of his passes were off target, including a missed opportunity to T.J. Hockenson on the opening drive and several other misfires in critical situations.
The most damaging part of the loss came during a four-possession stretch where the Vikings could only muster six points despite multiple trips into the red zone, including three inside the Lions’ 10-yard line. Of the 11 plays inside the 10, nine were passes, and eight of those ended in incompletions.
Head coach Kevin O’Connell remained supportive, emphasizing that Darnold has been reliable all season. “We just seemed to be a play away for much of the day,” he said, pointing out missed opportunities, especially in the red zone.
Darnold’s struggles were felt across the board, as he failed to connect consistently with his top receivers. Justin Jefferson had just three catches for 54 yards, T.J. Hockenson was limited to two catches for nine yards, and Jordan Addison had one catch for zero yards on six targets.
- Sam Darnold
Postgame, Darnold took full responsibility for his performance, saying that while his mechanics and decision-making were mostly solid, his accuracy let him down. “I just gotta hit the throw,” he admitted, noting that he missed a couple of key opportunities with Jefferson in the red zone.
As the Vikings head into the playoffs, they’ll need a much stronger performance from Darnold when they face the Rams in the Wild Card round. This game will be Darnold’s first playoff start, and he’s determined to learn from this setback. If he can bounce back, he’ll keep his breakout season on track and give Minnesota a fighting chance to go deep in the postseason. However, a repeat of this performance could affect not only the Vikings’ playoff hopes but also Darnold’s future in the league.
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