EAGAN, Minn. — The Minnesota Vikings are experiencing a turbulent phase in their season, particularly with Sam Darnold now in the role of quarterback. As they navigate this midseason challenge, finding a way to minimize setbacks could be key to securing a playoff spot. However, Darnold’s growing turnover issue poses a significant risk that could derail their efforts.
Despite the Vikings clinching a win against Jacksonville, with a final score of 12-7, which improved their NFC record to 7-2, concerns still linger regarding Darnold’s recent performance, especially his penchant for interceptions. In the last two games, he has thrown a total of five interceptions, three of which occurred against the Jaguars.
Head coach Kevin O’Connell attributed Darnold’s interception woes to overconfidence in his reads. “At times, he’s confident in his guys and takes chances on tight plays,” O’Connell commented regarding Darnold’s decision-making.
Darnold, who was the third overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft, is on his fourth team, with a troubling history of turning the ball over in critical situations. Each interception from the recent game had its unique circumstances, yet all were tied to attempts to connect with Justin Jefferson in crucial areas of the field.
As space shrinks on the field, O’Connell emphasized the importance of anticipating passes and protecting the football. “He knows what he has to do, and we’ll continue to stress those critical aspects,” he said. The first interception saw Jefferson tightly covered on a slant route, while the second was an underthrown ball in the end zone. The third threw away a promising opportunity by not placing the pass correctly.
Despite Darnold’s mistakes, the Vikings’ defense had an impressive outing, significantly outgaining their opponents in total yards with a margin of 402-143. O’Connell praised the defense and presented them with a game ball post-game. They bolstered their league-leading total of 15 interceptions and recovered all three of their top NFL takeaways (20) during the fourth quarter, aided by the return of linebacker Blake Cashman from injury.
While the defense exhibited strength, the Vikings’ red-zone offense faltered. They failed to score touchdowns on five attempts inside the 20-yard line. Previously ranked seventh in the NFL, this left them tied for 19th place in scoring efficiency. In comparison to others, only Patrick Mahomes and Dak Prescott have more red-zone turnovers than Darnold since 2018, a staggering statistic given Darnold’s fewer games played.
On a positive note, tight end T.J. Hockenson delivered a solid performance with eight receptions for 72 yards, serving as a dependable target for Darnold. Additionally, tight end Josh Oliver contributed with four catches for 52 yards, solidifying the passing game.
Conversely, Darnold’s overall effectiveness has come into question as his turnover numbers rise. Currently, he shares the lead in interceptions, tied with Jordan Love and Geno Smith.
In the injury report, running back Aaron Jones suffered a hit to his ribs during play but returned for the fourth quarter and expressed confidence in returning for the upcoming game. Darnold also faced a minor injury to his throwing hand during a tackle attempt after an interception but assured that it would not hinder his performance moving forward.
The Vikings’ time of possession against the Jaguars was noteworthy, at 42:19, marking the most in a non-overtime game since 2018, indicating their ability to control the game clock effectively.
Looking ahead, the Vikings will soon meet two young quarterbacks with struggling offenses in Tennessee and Chicago. This presents more opportunities for defensive coordinator Brian Flores to enhance his strategies. The Titans have recorded a mere six takeaways this season, while the Bears have been slightly more effective with 16 forced turnovers, including eight interceptions.
As the Vikings aim for playoff contention, addressing Darnold’s turnover issues will be essential, along with capitalizing on their defensive advantages in the coming matches.