Sam Darnold's Chance for Redemption in the Playoffs

Minnesota Vikings Pro Bowl quarterback Sam Darnold has rebounded after poor games this season. He'll have to do it again if the Vikes are to make noise in the playoffs this SZN.

SUPPORT THE SHOW!

#minnesotavikings #vikings #samdarnold

[geoffreysaign]

darnold has one major flaw, he hangs onto the ball too long. in many games perhaps this can work, but in pressure situations in the playoffs, it's a major weakness--perhaps one that he can't solve--few QBs can dump the ball fast, and they are the superstars eg Kurt Warner

[raypetty]

That tough loss was exactly what we needed before the playoffs. It’s a wake-up call, a reminder that we can’t take anything for granted. Now, we've got the chance to refocus, tighten up, and come back stronger than ever. It’s time to learn from it, grow from it, and show the world the team we really are. The real season starts now.

[JRudy]

I want to hear about Daniel Jones. Are we going to see him on the field in some capacity?

[ronaldkulas]

For Sam's sake, I hope he decides to go to another team. He owes the Vikings nothing. He is 14 and 3 and he receives way too much ridicule. I wonder what Sam thought when he was 5 and 1 and people were crying for the Vikings to trade for another QB. I wish him the best.

[derekbaker]

*Here's a million dollar question for you all (...in reality for Darnold too...): How will the press and fans react if Darnold plays well in the pressure-packed playoff game against the Rams...let's say he has a QB Passer Rating of 110...BUT the team loses for other reasons (e.g. perhaps the defence or special teams give up long TDs)??*

*1.* Would Kwesi A-M, KOC, Vikings fans & the press 'forgive' Darnold for his worst game of the season against the Lions, and believe that Darnold redeemed himself in a playoff game. Would the Vikings & the public conclude that Darnold is a very good QB and that his embarrassing performance against the Lions was an aberration, rather than a predictor? Would everyone form their decision/opinion about keeping Darnold from a broader perspective, e.g. the Lions debacle was just one of 18 games he played this year?

*2.* OR....would the failure of *the team* against the Rams be placed on Darnold's shoulders, even if Darnold played a good game? Would Darnold become the scapegoat for a disappointing end to the season, even if he played well in the Vikes' only playoff game? Would the organization, fans & the press feel that Darnold is not worth bringing back, so he should be allowed to sign with another team, or should be tagged & immediately traded?

(..of course, I do not want this scenario to play out...ideally the Vikes win their next four games & hoist that Jerombardi Trophy! SKOL!)

[dionjensen]

It might get moved to Az. I saw the 98 Vikings beat the cards out there.

[Bluboy]

I said it before and I'll say it again, Darnold needs to play at a level in big games and he failed last Sunday night. He needs to step up in the Wild Card round, if not, the team can't sign him to a big long term contract deal. I don't care how well he played in the regular season games. We all remember how well Cousins played in the regular season and all we got for 6 years were one division win and one playoff win.

[tomvan]

His holding too long needs to be fixed. Start running shorter routes. We can't be one-dimensional. In hindsight, if we had gone shorter and quick passes it would have offset the Lions pass-rush. If Sam is going to have a bad game it was better last week than this one. He has a little experience as that game last week was like a playoff with huge consequences. I think Sam will bounce back with KOC adjusting a little bit better in my opinion.

[saleen]

He's too slow through his progressions. That will not change .... its been an issue all season, so its up to KOC to game plan to a quick hitting attack and that didn't happen in Detroit.

[fullslatefarms]

Time to start thinking about JJ McCarthy your season is over.