Key matchup: Edge Jared Verse vs. LT Cam Robinson
Darnold has made legitimate strides as a passer this season, but the Detroit Lions made him look like the old Sam by cranking up the pressure on him in Week 18. Darnold looked jumpy and just flat-out missed on several open passes downfield. When the Rams beat the Vikings in Week 8, left tackle Christian Darrisaw was injured late in the first half. The Vikings scored their only two touchdowns in the first quarter of that game. Verse, a defensive rookie of the year candidate, had one of his best games against the Vikings, registering 1 1/2 sacks and five pressures.
Verse lined up on the offensive left on 67 percent of his snaps in the regular season. He’ll primarily rush against Darrisaw’s replacement, Robinson, whom the Rams traded for after Darrisaw was hurt. Robinson is better than any other option the Vikings had on the roster, but he has struggled. Since being traded, Robinson has allowed eight sacks and had his worst game of the season against the Lions in Week 18, giving up nine pressures and a sack.
Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell will scheme up ways to help Robinson, but only so much scheme can help against a bull rush. With speed rushers, it’s easier to chip them and help because of the wide path they take. Verse is an elite power rush and wants to run right through you. The Vikings will need Robinson to bounce back and keep Darnold clean against the Rams. If they do, it’ll be hard for the Rams to cover the Vikings’ all-star cast of pass catchers.