Can Sam Darnold lead the team to the playoffs?
As we review the game against the Jaguars, we look forward to the Titans game. The question on everyone’s mind is can Sam Darnold lead the team deep into the playoffs or will his turnovers cost the team dearly? At the start of the season there were not many lofty expectations for Darnold so he has over delivered. Still, once you get the appetite whet, those expectations grow. I am hoping Darnold is able to at least clean up the turnovers. Seeing more of the field is going to take time of which we may not have a lot of.
Regardless, it has been a good journey this season and I expect it to get better before we all get our hopes destroyed. After all, it is the Vikings way no?
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NFL teams with the most deceiving records: 49ers primed to contend; Vikings in trouble?
Minnesota Vikings (7-2)
Deceiving: For the worse
There’s no denying the impressive leadership of coach Kevin O’Connell and general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, who’ve consistently built and/or nurtured their personnel to withstand major blows. Since starting 5-0 in surprisingly seamless fashion, though, the Vikings have outscored opponents by a combined one point. They haven’t had a decisive, multi-score victory since Week 3 in late September. Brian Flores’ defense remains opportunistic, and Justin Jefferson always gives you a chance, but their most pleasant surprise, Sam Darnold, is gradually regressing, now leading the NFL with 13 turnovers. They’re likely still playoff-bound, but for how long in a tough NFC North?
Vikings survive in Jacksonville as Mac Jones out-disasters Sam Darnold
Sam Darnold did his best to lose this game for the Vikings. Mac Jones wouldn’t let him.
Jones turned the ball over three times in the fourth quarter, failing to take advantage of several opportunities to take back the lead. The Vikings’ defense stepped up in a big way, leading Minnesota to a 12-7 victory on Sunday in Jacksonville despite three interceptions from Darnold and remarkably poor red zone execution by Kevin O’Connell’s offense.
Vikings Film Room: Do they have a major problem with QB Sam Darnold?
One of the biggest factors in the game was quarterback Sam Darnold. Despite completing 24-38 for 241 yards, Darnold threw three interceptions that could have been five prevented the Vikings from scoring a touchdown and went 0-5 in red zone situations.
Throwing that many interceptions is bad, but were they the result of bad process, poor throws or something else? I took a look at the tape to get the answers.
It’s not going to be popular with the entire Minnesota Vikings fanbase, but Sam Darnold is the starting quarterback.
With the game in the rear view mirror, the topic of Darnold still being the starting quarterback, specifically head coach Kevin O’Connell making a major point of it in the locker room about how much faith they have in him.
“Sam (Darnold), everyone in this locker room knows you are the guy that’s gonna take us there.”
He was asked about that moment on Monday and gave some really good perspective on it.
“In those moments, I don’t think about those things ahead of time and I certainly wouldn’t have thought about that ahead of time of not scoring a touchdown yesterday. So, it’s one of those things. We’re just in the moment, speaking from the heart and what I really think and believe, both the good things that allowed us to win the football game and the foundation of our belief in one another. It would not be as authentic if an opportunity like that made us change the way we think about everything. But at the same time, I think it’s important we look at it with a really close eye together and make sure that anything that can be coached is coached and we hold that standard. And at the same time, areas where I can help Sam [Darnold], because there’s plenty of those too. So, I think it’s just a matter of making sure full transparency to our team, even though it ends up being much more transparent to just the folks in that room every a week, but it is important for everybody in that room to hear me say that, not for any other reason than it’s the truth.”
Vikings Proposal Lands Ex-Pro Bowl QB as Sam Darnold Insurance
The Minnesota Vikings‘ honeymoon with Sam Darnold seems to be over after he’s thrown five interceptions the past two weeks and leads the NFL with 13 turnovers.
Despite Darnold’s three turnovers in Week 10, the Vikings escaped with a 12-7 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars — but fans have grown weary that Darnold can truly lead the team deep in the playoffs.
Backup Nick Mullens isn’t the answer if Darnold is having an off night. In three starts in 2023, Mullens threw eight touchdowns and eight interceptions.
However, The Ringer’s Steven Ruiz entertained another possibility: signing free agent Ryan Tannehill.
“We know that Mullens isn’t the solution to the turnover issues. Darnold may be an interception machine, but he provides the offense with a much higher ceiling, which makes up for the lower floor,” Ruiz wrote. “Tannehill, who is currently a free agent, could be a more viable solution and has previously had success in a similar style of offense in Tennessee. He’s comfortable operating from under center in a play-action-heavy attack (which [head coach Kevin O’Connell] would appreciate), and he’s not afraid to give his talented receivers a chance on 50/50 balls down the field (which Justin Jefferson would appreciate).”
Vikings snap counts, notable PFF grades from win over Jaguars
Top 5 PFF grades on offense (min. 20 snaps)
1. Hockenson — 85.6
2. O’Neill — 75.0
3. Oliver — 74.7
4. Jefferson — 67.6
5. Bradbury — 66.8
Jones and Ingram just barely missed this list. All five of the Vikings’ offensive linemen earned a pass blocking grade of at least 65, which is encouraging.
Top 5 PFF grades on defense (min. 20 snaps)
1. Murphy — 89.1
2. Pace — 72.6
3. Bynum —72.3
4. Greenard — 69.0
5. Cashman — 65.5
Redmond, Jones, and Ward had good grades but without the snaps to qualify. It’s been quite the recent stretch for Murphy, who got off to a slow start to the season but has been playing very well lately in a contract year. He’s got a team-high four interceptions, including one in each of the last three games. Bynum is right behind him with three of them. Greenard didn’t have a single pressure in this game after recording at least five in each of the first eight contests, but he was still highly impactful in run defense.
Star Vikings cornerback predicted to leave Minnesota for Mike Tomlin, Steelers
One player who would generate considerable outside interest is Murphy, a playmaker who can switch seamlessly between the boundary and slot, and now has an interception in three consecutive games.
The Bleacher Report scouting department believes Murphy will be on the move this offseason, predicting Mike Tomlin and the Pittsburgh Steelers will be a potential suitor in free agency. Here was the site’s take:
“The Steelers signed Donte Jackson this offseason and he’s been a strong addition to the defense. The 29-year-old is putting together the best campaign of his career. Him overperforming his one-year contract is nice, but it means that he could be looking for more money next season and the Steelers might want to avoid handing a cornerback who will turn 30 a ton of money in free agency. That money might be better spent on someone like Byron Murphy. The 27-year-old is thriving under Brian Flores in Minnesota. Of course, Flores was most recently with the Steelers before taking over as the defensive coordinator in Minnesota. He would show up to Pittsburgh and give them two corners who can press and play in an aggressive scheme.”
Raygun reacts to Vikings safety Cam Bynum’s tribute celebration
“This is WILD,” Gunn, who wrote on her Instagram story, including a video of Bynum’s celebration. “Love it, Cam Bynum!”
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