The Minnesota Vikings were in trouble for a moment, as their 11-point lead over the Chicago Bears disappeared in the final seconds of the game. However, they regained control in overtime with no problems, thanks to Sam Darnold’s calm and confidence.
Despite a few turnovers in previous games that the Vikings still managed to win, Darnold proved once again on Sunday in the win over the Bears that he is leading a passing attack that could become one of the strongest in the NFL.
“I think he’s a mentally tough guy. I think he’s a physically tough guy. I think he’s confident in the guys around him, and I think he’s confident in our system,” coach Kevin O’Connell said after the 30-27 win. “I think when he just continues to play quarterback at a high level, I think we’re a tough team.”
After the defense forced the Bears to punt on the first overtime possession, Darnold guided the Vikings on a 68-yard drive to set up the game-winning field goal. He did this despite a 7-yard sack on the first play and two penalties — a false start and a holding penalty.
On third-and-10 from the 21-yard line, he completed a 13-yard pass to Jordan Addison near the sideline. Then, on first-and-15 from the 29, Darnold threw a 20-yard pass to Justin Jefferson. Jefferson fought off Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson on a post route to make a key catch after being held in check by double coverage throughout most of the game.
On second-and-11 from the 48, Darnold connected with a wide-open T.J. Hockenson for 12 yards. A couple of plays later, on a second-and-8 play-action, Darnold found Hockenson again on a deep corner route for 29 yards, putting kicker Parker Romo in position for the game-winning field goal.
“Just execute. It’s as simple as that. Just one play at a time,” said Darnold, who completed 22 of 34 passes for 330 yards and two touchdowns, without any turnovers. “I think I tell the guys that every single time in the huddle, but that’s my mindset every single time I’m out there on the field, especially in that situation.”
Even with Jefferson facing heavy coverage, the Vikings, with players like Addison, Hockenson, and Aaron Jones running O’Connell’s offense, have shown they can win games when needed. This success is largely due to Darnold, whose career revival has been a big factor in the Vikings’ (9-2) surprising success in one of the toughest divisions in the league.
“He’s cool, calm, collected,” Hockenson said. “That’s what you want as the leader of the huddle.”
