EAGAN, Minn.
— Sam Darnold has demonstrated some persistent imperfections throughout his seven-year career in the NFL, which may continue as long as he remains in the league.
However, in a season that marks a revival for both the quarterback and his team, the Minnesota Vikings are embracing Darnold as a key element rather than a liability.
Coach Kevin O’Connell expressed his confidence in Darnold’s ability following the Vikings’ 21-13 win against Indianapolis on Sunday night, stating, “This guy can throw the football. I love every aspect of what he’s doing within our offense right now.”
Despite Darnold’s notable flaws, he faced a challenging game against the Colts, resulting in three turnovers, including his first multi-interception outing of the season.
Early in the game, he was intercepted in the end zone, and later, another interception near midfield on drives that began after the defense managed a takeaway. In addition, he lost the ball during a rough sack that allowed the Colts to score a 38-yard touchdown, marking the only points of the first half.
Wide receiver Justin Jefferson acknowledged these mistakes, suggesting they were minor issues easily remedied. “Sam is a phenomenal quarterback,” he assured.
A common issue for Darnold throughout his career has been his tendency to hold onto the ball too long.
This season, he has often tried to evade pressure, which often led to greater lost yardage when he ultimately succumbed to sacks. Nonetheless, the positive aspects of Darnold’s performance have outweighed the negatives.
His position as the starting quarterback became definitive after rookie J.J. McCarthy succumbed to a season-ending knee injury.
Darnold has excelled this season, boasting a completion percentage of 69.5%, which surpasses his previous best and ranks him seventh among current starters in the NFL.
Additionally, his average yards per attempt stands at 8.5, also a career high. The Vikings (6-2) have appreciated his attitude towards mitigating turnover-worthy plays. O’Connell has been encouraging in unleashing Darnold’s potential, and Darnold is responding well.
Reflecting on his learning experiences, Darnold noted, “The experience that I’ve had throughout the league of playing bad games, playing good games, like it’s just you continue to learn from experiences.”
He added, “You don’t want it to happen, but it’s part of the game. You’ve just got to continue to go out there and play football.”
What is working effectively for Darnold is O’Connell’s scheme and the talent of the receivers, creating numerous open opportunities for him.
The focus on Jefferson’s extraordinary skills has allowed for effective ball distribution, resulting in eight different players catching touchdown passes. Despite occasional quiet moments for Jefferson, Darnold has shown confidence in O’Connell’s designs and his own arm strength to connect with the league’s top receiver, even under pressure from double coverages.
However, there are still challenges to address. The interior pass protection that plagued Darnold’s predecessor, Kirk Cousins, remains an area that requires improvement.
The inclusion of veteran Dalton Risner may provide a solution for right guard Ed Ingram as the Vikings consider lineup changes. The Colts’ defensive tackles, DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart, troubled Garrett Bradbury and the guards throughout the matchup.
In terms of player performance, tight end Josh Oliver has seen positive growth.
The run-blocking specialist achieved a career-high five receptions for 58 yards alongside a game-sealing touchdown against the Colts, bringing his total to three scores this season.
Conversely, running back Ty Chandler’s situation has declined. Initially poised to challenge Aaron Jones for playing time, Chandler has since fallen down the depth chart with Jones averaging 15.6 carries per game, while Chandler’s only role was in special teams during the Colts game.
Injury-wise, the Vikings have lost left tackle Christian Darrisaw for the season, yet they remain one of the healthier teams in the league.
They expect starting linebacker Blake Cashman to return this week following a three-game absence.
The most pressing concern lies with special teams, as long snapper Andrew DePaola will be out for at least a month, and kicker Will Reichard’s status is uncertain due to a quadriceps injury.
A crucial statistic for the Vikings is their lead in the NFL for interceptions, with 13, surpassing their total from last season (11).
Their average rate of interceptions per game, 1.63, is the highest since 2003.
Looking ahead, the Vikings are set to embark on a challenging stretch with three consecutive road games against Jacksonville, Tennessee, and Chicago.
However, the schedule looks favorable, as only two of their next seven opponents, Arizona (5-4) and Atlanta (6-3), currently have winning records.
Both of those games will take place at home.