Sam Darnold Soaks in ‘Pretty Special’ Locker Room Moment After Vikings Take Down Packers—A Night to Remember!
After a thrilling 27-25 victory over the Green Bay Packers, the Minnesota Vikings secured a 14-2 record, setting up a winner-take-all showdown in Detroit for Week 18. As teammates rushed to the locker room, they eagerly awaited Sam Darnold, showering him with water and lifting him heroically into the air. The scene was one of […]
After a thrilling 27-25 victory over the Green Bay Packers, the Minnesota Vikings secured a 14-2 record, setting up a winner-take-all showdown in Detroit for Week 18. As teammates rushed to the locker room, they eagerly awaited Sam Darnold, showering him with water and lifting him heroically into the air. The scene was one of pure joy and excitement for the quarterback, who had just delivered a career-high performance.
“It was just mayhem,” Darnold recalled of the postgame locker room celebration. “I think I blacked out when Aaron Jones grabbed me and lifted me up.” Darnold laughed, adding, “I didn’t know what to do with my hands in that situation—so, Ricky Bobby style,” referencing the iconic 2006 film Talladega Nights. “It was an interesting moment, but a fun moment, to be embraced by your teammates like that. That was pretty special.”
Darnold’s Career Day Leads to Big Win
Darnold’s performance on Sunday was, in fact, pretty special. The 27-year-old quarterback passed for a career-high 377 yards, with three touchdowns and one interception. This marked his sixth game with three or more passing touchdowns in the 2024 season—a feat he had only achieved four times in his previous six seasons combined.
Darnold has shown exceptional poise this year, often evading pressure and making crucial decisions. Despite a slow start for star receiver Justin Jefferson, Darnold effectively spread the ball around to multiple targets. He connected with Jalen Nailor (5 catches, 81 yards, 1 TD), Jordan Addison (6 catches, 68 yards, 1 TD), and T.J. Hockenson (5 catches, 68 yards), among others. As Jefferson broke loose for a game-high 92 yards on eight catches, Darnold demonstrated his ability to distribute the ball effectively across the field, hitting eight different targets against Green Bay.
Teammates Praise Darnold’s Resilience
Teammates were quick to express their admiration for Darnold, especially after the challenges he faced earlier in his career. “I’m so happy for Sam,” said Aaron Jones. “Outside of these walls, nobody really believed in him, nobody really gave him a chance, but he’s proved everybody wrong, and I’m just so happy for him.”
Darnold’s impressive numbers this season speak for themselves. He has thrown multiple touchdowns in 12 games, the second-most in the NFL behind Joe Burrow. He has also tied the Vikings’ franchise record for most games with multiple passing touchdowns in a season (Kirk Cousins set the record in 2020 and 2021). Furthermore, Darnold’s 13 games with a passer rating of 100 or more are tied for the second-most in a single season since 1950—only Aaron Rodgers’ 2020 MVP season had more.
Vikings’ Confidence in Darnold Shines Through
Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell has seen Darnold grow throughout the season, and he is thrilled with the quarterback’s development. “Just to see how he’s ultimately been able to maximize everything about his opportunity, our football team loves him for it,” O’Connell said. “I’ve had an absolute blast coaching him.”
O’Connell’s trust in Darnold was evident late in the game. With the victory on the line, the coach called three consecutive passes for his quarterback, getting Darnold out of the pocket. An incomplete pass would have allowed the Packers a slim chance at an improbable comeback, but Darnold calmly completed all three passes. The final completion to Cam Akers, who made a critical low catch to secure a first down, effectively sealed the win.
“We can be aggressive, but he’s still going to be a great decision-maker,” O’Connell said. “He’s playing quarterback at a very, very high level.”
Vikings Eye No. 1 Seed After Darnold’s Big Day
Darnold’s high-level play has placed the Vikings on the brink of securing the NFC’s No. 1 seed. With a win over Detroit in Week 18, Minnesota can lock in a top seed in the playoffs and celebrate with much more than a locker room water bath.
The Vikings have found new confidence in their quarterback, and Darnold’s journey from underdog to playoff contender has been nothing short of inspiring. If he continues to perform at this elite level, the Vikings’ postseason hopes could be brighter than ever.
