Vikings’ Sam Darnold sounds confident ahead of NFC playoff game vs. Rams

Fair or not, the spotlight will shine brightest on Darnold, who is guaranteed only one more game in a Vikings uniform. His first playoff experience likely could shape whatever happens next in his career, whether that’s in Minnesota or somewhere else. This is a big spot for him, though he came across as engaging and… Continue reading Vikings’ Sam Darnold sounds confident ahead of NFC playoff game vs. Rams

Why Vikings QB Sam Darnold couldn’t throw a touchdown in Detroit

The Vikings won 14 games often through Sam Darnold’s arm this season. Yet on the biggest stage so far, Darnold’s arm fell flat during Sunday night’s 31-9 loss to the Lions. Players and coaches say the critiques should begin with their failures in the red zone, where the Vikings had four trips inside Detroit’s 20-yard… Continue reading Why Vikings QB Sam Darnold couldn’t throw a touchdown in Detroit

Kevin O’Connell, Sam Darnold and the Vikings must regroup for the Rams

Positive thoughts may not help you, but negative thoughts will crush your spirit. “Even though we were able to make some plays, there were some plays that could have changed the rhythm and the momentum of that game, especially in that kind of environment,” O’Connell said. “If you can make one or two or three… Continue reading Kevin O’Connell, Sam Darnold and the Vikings must regroup for the Rams

Sam Darnold turned into a pumpkin on Sunday. But he can still be Cinderella | Minnesota Vikings

If you were waiting this season for Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold to fail – not in an evil schadenfreude sense, but more in an “Oh, there’s the Sam Darnold of old” sense – then Darnold’s Sunday night performance against Detroit in a 31-9 Lions win gave you a lot of ballast for that position.… Continue reading Sam Darnold turned into a pumpkin on Sunday. But he can still be Cinderella | Minnesota Vikings

How can Minnesota Vikings trust Sam Darnold again?

DETROIT – Whoever told Sam Darnold to aim high should have chosen their words more carefully. In one of the most dramatic disintegrations in the wretched big-game history of a seemingly cursed sports market, Darnold, on Sunday night, choked. In the biggest game of his career, and perhaps the biggest game of the NFL season,… Continue reading How can Minnesota Vikings trust Sam Darnold again?

Sam Darnold or J.J. McCarthy? Why not both?

One of the biggest questions of the looming offseason is already being asked and analyzed, ad nauseum. Should the Vikings keep quarterback Sam Darnold and trade J.J. McCarthy? Or should they keep McCarthy and tag and trade Darnold? The best answer could be the most obvious one: Both. Veteran quarterback contracts usually carry two fully… Continue reading Sam Darnold or J.J. McCarthy? Why not both?

Sam Darnold surges to comeback player of the year favorite

Earlier this week, Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow was the betting favorite to win comeback player of the year. Now, he’s not. Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold has overtaken Burrow at most sports books. At DraftKings, for instance, Darnold has moved to -135, with Burrow at +135. As of Wednesday, Burrow was the favorite at -200. Darnold’s… Continue reading Sam Darnold surges to comeback player of the year favorite

Lions-Vikings preview: Sam Darnold led Vikings to unlikely season

Last year, it was the Lions who emerged as a surprise team to go on a late-season run and make the playoffs in the NFC. Now, the Lions are having the successful season that many expected them to have in 2024. And it’s the Vikings who are having the surprise season. Minnesota is 14-2 on… Continue reading Lions-Vikings preview: Sam Darnold led Vikings to unlikely season

NFC Notes: Sam Darnold, Bears, Packers, Vikings

Bears ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler expects the Bears to be interested in interviewing Vikings DC Brian Flores and Commanders OC Kliff Kingsbury.  Fowler highlights Cowboys HC Mike McCarthy as a candidate to watch for the Bears, as he could have interest in leaving Dallas with his contract expiring and returning to the NFC North. Fowler explains… Continue reading NFC Notes: Sam Darnold, Bears, Packers, Vikings

Fantasy football and reality align. Vikings should sign Sam Darnold, trade J.J. McCarthy

Sam Darnold was the QB8 in fantasy football 2024, leading the Vikings to 14 wins heading into their NFC North Division and No. 1 seed showdown on Sunday night against the Detroit Lions. More importantly, he helped produce the No. 4 and No. 20 wide receivers in PPR points per game, one of just four… Continue reading Fantasy football and reality align. Vikings should sign Sam Darnold, trade J.J. McCarthy