For those still doubting Sam Darnold and whether he’s finally found a fit that unlocks his potential, I offer a persuasive argument that he can maintain his play in this system.
The Minnesota Vikings’ third-quarter drive against the San Francisco 49ers.
Here was a QB playing in a new system and, most importantly, without Minnesota’s three primary offensive weapons. Justin Jefferson had left the game with a quad injury. Jefferson’s primary running partner, Jordan Addison, was out for the game. Additionally, the electric Aaron Jones had entered the blue tent and missed this drive.
So what did Sam Darnold do? He marched the team down the field methodically. Darnold killed over six minutes of clock on a drive that led to a field goal that all but put the game away. The 49ers got the ball back, down two scores, with only 3:30 left in the game.
The situation here is important. On Minnesota’s last drive, they fumbled away a chance to put the game on ice. Up 20-7 and marching, the usually sure-handed Jones lost the ball on the one-yard line. San Francisco responded by marching the ball down the field and scoring to make it a one-score game, 20-14. The momentum had shifted to last year’s NFC Super Bowl representatives.
The Vikings started the drive on their own 25 with over 10 minutes remaining in the game. They handed the ball to Jones on first-and-10. He picked up two but got dinged up and took himself out after the play. On the next play, Darnold scrambled and picked up a yard, bringing up a crucial third-and-seven. Fail, and San Francisco has the ball back with momentum and only down a score.
On a crucial third-and-eight, the Vikings lined up in a closed 3×1 formation. Brandon Powell got loose on an out route against San Francisco’s man-to-man coverage when Powell’s man got caught up on Trishton Jackson‘s vertical route. Darnold threw a strike: First down with the clock ticking.
After Ty Chandler‘s two-yard gain and Darnold’s smart throwaway, the Vikings converted on third-and-eight. Darnold might have made his best (or second-best) throw of the day, converting a big play to Jalen Nailor. The Niners play 2 Look (two-deep coverage with man-to-man trail technique underneath), and Speedy gets a step on Isaac Yiadom. Darnold recognizes that Yiadom is trailing, with his back to the QB, so he makes a back shoulder throw that only Nailor can catch. Another key first down and another chance to eat clock.
Later in the drive, Darnold completed another out route, this time to Johnny Mundt. Mundt then tumbled to the ground and took out a veteran yard marker. Hope you’re alright, my friend.
On third-and-two, Kevin O’Connell showed his confidence in Darnold by dialing up another pass. Darnold moved slightly in the pocket, allowing for some penetration on right tackle Brian O’Neill, and delivered another strike. Powell shook free again, and the Vikings kept the clock ticking.
After that, the drive stalled out. KOC milked the clock with quick-screen and running plays after the Niners sniffed out a trick play with Chandler. However, this first down allowed the Vikings to run another few precious minutes off the clock, putting San Francisco in a situation where an onside kick was necessary to have a chance to win or tie.
On that drive, Darnold went four of five with one throwaway, including completions to Nailor, Powell, and Mundt. The drive started with over 10 minutes on the clock in a one-score game and gave the ball back to the Niners with just over three minutes remaining and down 10.
Darnold currently ranks fifth in the NFL in passer rating, by the way.
Admittedly, he’s also had his first few “What the hell, Sam!?!?” moments in this game, most notably an interception where he lost All-Star linebacker Fred Warner. Still, he bounced back like any great competitor.
Darnold made plays with his feet, and he played winning football. Most impressively, he made key plays on a key drive that all but put the game away — even without his deadliest weapon.
