Sam Darnold’s Nightmare in Detroit: Can He Shake Off the Doubts Ahead of the Playoffs?
For those waiting for Sam Darnold to stumble, Sunday night against the Detroit Lions delivered a lot of ammunition. In a humbling 31-9 loss, Darnold’s performance reignited questions about his long-term reliability, as the Lions’ relentless blitzes and airtight coverage exposed his vulnerabilities.
Yet, this stumble contrasts sharply with what had been a redemption arc for the former third-overall pick. After years of middling success with the Jets, Panthers, and a backup stint with the 49ers, Darnold had revitalized his career with the Minnesota Vikings. Signed as a backup for rookie JJ McCarthy, Darnold took the reins after McCarthy’s preseason injury and thrived. His stats through Week 17—4,153 passing yards, 35 touchdowns, and a 106.4 passer rating—ranked him among the NFL’s best.
“Sam had been phenomenal this season, perfect for what we’re building here,” head coach Kevin O’Connell said. But Sunday was different.
A Night to Forget
Against a blitz-heavy Lions defense orchestrated by Aaron Glenn, Darnold completed just 18 of 41 passes for 166 yards, zero touchdowns, and a dismal 55.5 passer rating—his worst of the season. Particularly in the red zone, Darnold faltered. Of nine passes thrown inside Detroit’s seven-yard line, only one was completed, a three-yard gain to Aaron Jones.
“There were plays to be made, and I just didn’t execute,” Darnold admitted post-game.
Kevin O’Connell addressed the struggles: “Mindset and mechanics sometimes get intertwined. There were moments where Sam let the moment get too big, and it showed.”
A Tale of Two Seasons
Darnold’s struggles Sunday stand in stark contrast to his season-long dominance, particularly against the blitz. Heading into Week 17, he led the NFL with an astonishing 144.0 passer rating against five or more pass rushers. However, against Detroit’s relentless pressure on Sunday—25 blitzes on 45 dropbacks—he managed just 10 completions for 122 yards.
Detroit also leaned heavily on man coverage, using it on 66.6% of Darnold’s attempts, far above their season average. Before Sunday, Darnold thrived against man coverage, posting a 113.5 passer rating. The Lions, however, took what they did well and amplified it to perfection.
“Detroit played to their strengths and executed brilliantly,” said O’Connell.
A Red Zone Puzzle
Minnesota’s inability to score touchdowns in the red zone was historic—failing on four trips, three goal-to-go situations, and two fourth-and-goal attempts. Despite Darnold’s red zone efficiency throughout the season (20 touchdowns and a 110.8 passer rating), Detroit’s league-best red zone defense proved insurmountable.
Justin Jefferson, who was visibly frustrated on the sideline, summed it up: “We were in the red zone, and we didn’t score. You can’t win games like that.”
Looking Ahead
One bad game doesn’t define a season, but it raises questions. As the Vikings prepare for a wild-card clash with the Los Angeles Rams, Darnold has a chance to bounce back. Unlike Detroit, the Rams don’t blitz as aggressively or rely as heavily on man coverage, which could work in his favor.
“If Sam can put this game behind him and lead us through the playoffs, that’ll say more about him than one bad night,” O’Connell stated.
The Vikings’ postseason hopes may well rest on whether Darnold can rebound and silence the whispers about his past inconsistencies. Should the Vikings face Detroit again, it could serve as the ultimate redemption arc—or a final reckoning.
What’s Next for Darnold?
As Darnold enters free agency after the 2024 season, his playoff performance will heavily influence his future. Can he cement himself as a starting-caliber quarterback, or will this Lions game linger as proof of lingering doubts?
For now, the ball is in Darnold’s hands—literally and figuratively.
