<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/vikings-news-sam-darnold-makes-history-heroic-performance-seahawks');   ga('set', 'title', 'Vikings’ Sam Darnold makes history in heroic performance vs. Seahawks');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Vikings-news-Sam-Darnold-makes-history-in-heroic-performance-vs.jpg"></figure><h1>Vikings’ Sam Darnold makes history in heroic performance vs. Seahawks</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-23T09:57:26-08:00">December 23rd, 9:57am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-23T09:57:26-08:00">December 23rd, 9:57am</time><address><a href="https://medium.com/bingeable">Sonny Giuliano</a>Sonny Giuliano is an experienced sports writer for ClutchPoints who has been covering the NFL, NCAA Football, NBA, and NCAA Basketball for well over a decade. Originally from the small town of Elba, New York, Sonny received his degree from Florida Gulf Coast University and currently resides in Cleveland, Ohio.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Minnesota Vikings</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>After selecting <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/meet-jj-mccarthy-vikings-no-10-pick-2024-nfl-draft">JJ McCarthy with the 10th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft</a>, had you told Minnesota Vikings fans that it would be Sam Darnold leading the team into the final weeks of the season, they would’ve likely assumed that something had gone terribly wrong.</p><p>In reality, losing McCarthy to a torn meniscus over the summer may have been something of a blessing in disguise, because it opened the door for the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/vikings-news-justin-jefferson-compares-minnesota-lsu-championship">Vikings to become bonafide, can’t-deny-it-anymore Super Bowl contenders</a>, thanks in large part to a <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/vikings-news-sam-darnolds-nfl-mvp-odds-dominant-3-0-start">stunning MVP campaign from a journeyman quarterback</a> who had never once been considered an MVP candidate at any point during his less-than-stellar seven-year career.</p><p>On Sunday, Darnold turned in what was maybe his finest performance of the season, throwing for 246 yards and 3 touchdowns, one of which came with under four minutes to go to give Minnesota a 27-24 win that allowed the Vikings to keep pace with the NFC North-leading Detroit Lions. In the win, Darnold <a href="https://www.si.com/college/usc/football/minnesota-vikings-sam-darnold-chicago-bears-win-satisfied-usc-trojans-nfl-playoffs-nfc-north" rel="noopener">made all kinds of history</a> that only strengthens an improbable and unexpected MVP resume.</p><p>Per Kyron Samuels of Sports Illustrated, Sam Darnold joins Peyton Manning (Denver Broncos) and Steve McNair (Baltimore Ravens) as the quarterback with the most wins in their first season with a new team. With two games remaining, Darnold could end up breaking that record. Additionally, after a nearly flawless performance against the Seahawks, Darnold now holds the NFL record for the most games (12) with a 100.0 or more passer rating in a player’s first season with a team.</p><p>After Sunday’s win, Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell emphasized that the Vikings offense, “has become Sam’s offense,” (<a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/43119403/justin-jefferson-agrees-vikings-championship-caliber-likens-2019-lsu-tigers-title-team" rel="noopener">h/t</a> Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com). Earlier this month, All-Pro wide receiver <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl-rumors-vikings-more-open-minded-sam-darnold-future">Justin Jefferson lauded Darnold’s ability to “take the top off of defenses,”</a> and allow for the “whole playbook” to be open. On Sunday, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/vikings-news-justin-jefferson-compares-minnesota-lsu-championship">Jefferson compared this Vikings team to the 2019 LSU Tigers squad</a> he was on that rampaged to a National Title.</p><p>Whether this run can continue deep into January, or potentially even February, remains to be seen. But if it does, Darnold will deserve all of the credit that will come his way.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Vikings’ Sam Darnold makes history in heroic performance vs. Seahawks

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/vikings-news-sam-darnold-key-role-josh-mccown-played-breakout-campaign');   ga('set', 'title', 'Vikings’ Sam Darnold reveals key role Josh McCown has played in breakout campaign');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/0Sam-Darnold-reveals-key-role-Josh-McCown-has-played-in-breakout-campaign0.jpg"></figure><h1>Vikings’ Sam Darnold reveals key role Josh McCown has played in breakout campaign</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-20T08:39:10-08:00">December 20th, 8:39am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-20T08:39:10-08:00">December 20th, 8:39am</time><address><a>Dan Fappiano</a>Dan Fappiano is a Connecticut based sports journalist and a graduate of both Tunxis Community College and Central Connecticut State University. Dan has spent time covering high school and professional sports in both the print and online medium. He hopes to see his beloved Chicago Bears win a Super Bowl someday.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Minnesota Vikings</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>To the shock of many, quarterback Sam Darnold’s play has the Minnesota <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/vikings-nightmare-scenario-2024-nfl-playoff-seeding-matchups">Vikings poised to make a deep playoff run</a>. However, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/vikings-sam-darnold-drops-business-like-revelation-on-clinching-playoff-berth">Darnold’s breakout season</a> didn’t appear out of thin air.</p><p>Of course, he had to put in the work and prove he can still be a starting quarterback in the NFL. But Darnold didn’t do it alone, leaning on quarterbacks coach Josh McCown <a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/43064735/nfl-vikings-josh-mccown-sam-darnold-offensive-coordinator" rel="noopener">for trusted advice</a>, via Kevin Seifert of ESPN.</p><p>“He’s been great,” Darnold said of McCown. “Just the way that – even when I first got here in OTAs – we’ve been able to learn the system together. And talk about gameplan and grow in it at the same time. It’s been a great journey so far.”</p><p>“He’s been a great coach to be able to lean on where situations aren’t necessarily going my way, and he’s also there when things are getting good, just to remind me of my fundamentals and what I’ve got to do to continue good quarterback play.”</p><p>McCown is in his year year as the Vikings’ quarterbacks coach after serving in the same role with the Carolina Panthers in 2023. His foray into coaching came after a 16-year NFL career on his own. It didn’t come with any Super Bowls or Pro Bowl appearances. But McCown is a respected mind and a newfound quarterback whisperer.</p><p>His tutelage has helped Sam Darnold reach once unthinkable career heights. Over 14 games, Darnold has completed 67.6 percent of his passes for 3,530 yards, 29 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He ranks fifth in passing touchdowns and sixth in passing yards. Furthermore, if the regular season were to end after Week 16, Darnold has already set new career-highs across the board.</p><p>Alongside all of his counting stats, Darnold has the Vikings at 12-2. They’ve already clinched a playoff spot and are looking to take over the NFC North. All of that doesn’t happen without Sam Darnold finally realizing his first-round potential.</p><p>What happens after this season is still up in their air, the Vikings need to make a decision on their quarterback’s long-term future. However, it’s clear that Darnold-McCown connection has been a success. Perhaps Minnesota doesn’t want to mess up the mojo heading into 2025.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Vikings’ Sam Darnold reveals key role Josh McCown has played in breakout campaign

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/vikings-sam-darnold-drops-business-like-revelation-on-clinching-playoff-berth');   ga('set', 'title', 'Vikings’ Sam Darnold drops business-like revelation on clinching playoff berth');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Sam-Darnold-drops-business-like-revelation-on-clinching-playoff-berth.jpg"></figure><h1>Vikings’ Sam Darnold drops business-like revelation on clinching playoff berth</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-17T08:06:25-08:00">December 17th, 8:06am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-17T08:06:25-08:00">December 17th, 8:06am</time><address><a>Ryan Bologna</a>Ryan Bologna is an author at ClutchPoints. He studied journalism and communication at UConn.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Minnesota Vikings</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Minnesota Vikings clinched a playoff berth on Sunday due to the Seattle Seahawks’ loss to the Green Bay Packers on Sunday Night Football, and Sam Darnold revealed how <a href="https://x.com/SeifertESPN/status/1868886878440899027" rel="noopener">players on the team reacted</a> to the news as they prepared for their Monday Night Football game against the Chicago Bears.</p><p>Darnold said that <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/vikings-news-aaron-jones-fans-spider-man-celebration-milestone-touchdown">some Vikings players</a> were together Sunday night when it officially happened, but there was no celebration. It was just a five-minute chat, and then they moved on, according to Kevin Seifert of ESPN.</p><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/vikings-news-aaron-jones-nostradamus-after-training-camp-message-mom-revealed">The Vikings had</a> a game the next night, and they took care of business against the Chicago Bears, beating them by the score of 30-12 to move to 12-2 on the season. After securing a spot in the NFC Playoffs, now the Vikings will focus on trying to win the NFC North division title. They are tied with the Detroit Lions atop the division, who hold the tiebreaker due to the win against the Vikings earlier in the season.</p><p>It has been a surprising season for the Vikings, especially Darnold, who has been a journeyman in his career. With how he has performed, along with the Vikings losing Christian Darrisaw for a large part of the season, Kevin O’Connell is perhaps the frontrunner for the Coach of the Year award.</p><h2><b>How can Vikings secure NFC North title?</b></h2><p>The Vikings’ road ahead is simple, if they win their remaining three games on the schedule, they are the NFC North champions. However, that will not be easy, as their last three games are against the Seattle Seahawks, Green Bay Packers and Lions. Minnesota has a chance to set up a winner-take-all for the division against the Lions in the last week of the season.</p><p>If Minnesota does end up winning the NFC North, it could also be in the running for the top seed in the NFC, competing with the Philadelphia Eagles for that spot. Regardless, the Vikings are in a great spot at 12-2 and have a chance to continue to surprise in the final three games.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Vikings’ Sam Darnold drops business-like revelation on clinching playoff berth

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/vikings-news-sam-darnold-baker-mayfield-comparisons-questions');   ga('set', 'title', 'Vikings’ Sam Darnold draws Baker Mayfield comparisons, but there are questions');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Vikings-news-sam-Darnold-draws-Baker-Mayfield-comparisons-but-there-are-questions.jpg"></figure><h1>Vikings’ Sam Darnold draws Baker Mayfield comparisons, but there are questions</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-16T11:54:32-08:00">December 16th, 11:54am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-16T11:57:01-08:00">December 16th, 11:57am</time><address><a href="https://matthew516sports.substack.com/">Douglas Fritz</a>Douglas Fritz has been writing about sports for almost four decades and publishes a Christian sports newsletter and podcast on Substack at Matthew516Sports. He started as a reporter for the student newspaper at East Tennessee State University, worked his way up to Editor-In-Chief, and began his sports writing career at the Johnson City Press daily newspaper while still in college. During 30-plus years at the Press, he covered University of Tennessee football, men's and women's basketball, ETSU athletics, and high school athletics. Among the people he has interviewed are Dale Murphy, Bobby Cox, John Smoltz, and Bruce Smith. He is also a Christian-based screenwriter (five feature-length and one short), book writer (three completed manuscripts and one novel), and songwriter.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Minnesota Vikings</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Sam Darnold finds himself in an interesting situation with the Minnesota Vikings, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/vikings-news-kevin-oconnell-fun-daniel-jones-truth-bomb">who have Daniel Jones on the practice squad</a> along with <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl-rumors-vikings-more-open-minded-sam-darnold-future">J.J. McCarthy on the injured list</a>. Darnold has drawn Baker Mayfield comparisons, but there are questions about his future with the Vikings.</p><p>Darnold’s situation is similar to that of Tampa Bay’s Baker Mayfield, who signed a one-year, $4 million contract to compete for the Buccaneers’ starting job in 2023. Mayfield threw for 4,044 yards and 28 touchdowns that season and led the Buccaneers to the divisional round of the playoffs. Earlier this year, he re-signed for three years and $100 million. Will Darnold get that kind of deal?</p><p>Mayfield has turned in another strong season, tied — with Darnold — for third in the NFL with 28 touchdown passes. Mayfield is fourth with 3,329 yards for a Bucs team that appears headed for the playoffs again.</p><h2><b>Vikings QB Sam Darnold having impressive season</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Minnesota-Vikings-QB-Sam-Darnold.jpg"><figcaption>Matt Krohn-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Darnold has likely changed opinions across the NFL, giving him a wide variety of options across the league if he becomes a free agent. However, there is a big question. Is Darnold excelling because of head coach Kevin O’Connell and the Vikings’ talented receivers? One NFL executive brought <a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/42982044/nfl-vikings-sam-darnold-free-agent-jj-mccarthy-daniel-jones" rel="noopener">that question to light</a>, according to espn.com.</p><p>“What’s Darnold doing versus what’s the product of the (Vikings’ system)?” the executive said. “The first half of the season he’s playing with a lead every game. Now their games have gotten stickier and he’s doing more. That could be a trend.”</p><h2><b>Darnold’s numbers hard to ignore</b></h2><p>Darnold has thrown for 3,299 yards this season with a serious 28-to-10 TD-to-interception ratio. However, first and foremost, his record of 11-2 heading into Monday night’s game against the Bears stood out the most. Darnold bounced back strongly from a recent poor game against Jacksonville. But he <a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/vikings/news/matthew-coller-sam-darnold-s-rise-starts-with-the-simple-things-01jf7yqky0jq" rel="noopener">proved his worth</a>, according to O’Connell’s comments via Sports Illustrated.</p><p>“I think there can be incredible growth in moments where, maybe on the outside, it seemed leaving Jacksonville like there’s something really wrong,” O’Connell said. “Sam’s going back in Monday morning and, based upon a lot of things that Josh (McCown), Grant (Udinski), and myself talked to him about, almost self-coaching. ‘If I just have better feet there or I don’t know why my eyes were there.’ (It) was an incredible growth moment for him to just come back the next week and start stacking some things.”</p><p>Furthermore, Darnold said he’s comfortable in O’Connell’s offense.</p><p>“The thing that I talk about all the time is the amount of time we’ve put into this offense since April, we’ve been running very similar concepts even during the season that we’ve been running since then,” Darnold said. “So just the comfort level that I have with those play-action passes to be able to go run them in games very seamlessly and go find completions no matter where they are, whether they’re 5 yards down the field or 50 yards down the field.”</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Vikings’ Sam Darnold draws Baker Mayfield comparisons, but there are questions

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl-rumors-vikings-more-open-minded-sam-darnold-future');   ga('set', 'title', 'NFL rumors: Vikings now more ‘open-minded’ about Sam Darnold’s future');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/NFL-rumors-Vikings-now-more-open-minded-about-Sam-Darnolds-future.jpg"></figure><h1>NFL rumors: Vikings now more ‘open-minded’ about Sam Darnold’s future</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-16T09:20:24-08:00">December 16th, 9:20am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-16T09:20:24-08:00">December 16th, 9:20am</time><address><a href="https://medium.com/bingeable">Sonny Giuliano</a>Sonny Giuliano is an experienced sports writer for ClutchPoints who has been covering the NFL, NCAA Football, NBA, and NCAA Basketball for well over a decade. Originally from the small town of Elba, New York, Sonny received his degree from Florida Gulf Coast University and currently resides in Cleveland, Ohio.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Minnesota Vikings</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Coming into the 2024 season, all Minnesota Vikings fans could’ve hoped for was that the after moving on from 35-year-old Kirk Cousins in the offseason, the franchise had found their quarterback of the future. That guy was supposed to be <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/meet-jj-mccarthy-vikings-no-10-pick-2024-nfl-draft">JJ McCarthy, the 10th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft</a> and a National Champion at the University of Michigan. However, a <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/vikings-news-jj-mccarthy-injury-timeline">mid-August meniscus tear ended McCarthy’s rookie year before it began</a>, paving the way for Sam Darnold to step in become <i>that guy. </i></p><p>Despite being in the NFL since 2018, Darnold is still only 27 years old, which means conceivably, his best football could still be ahead of him. And if the 2024 season is any indication, it’s that those who wrote Darnold off after a disappointing three-year tenure with the New York Jets made up their minds prematurely, because in Minnesota, the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/sam-darnolds-mvp-odds-shoot-up-amid-hot-start">former 3rd overall pick is playing MVP caliber football</a>… and forcing the Minnesota Vikings to reevaluate his future with the team in the process.</p><p>According to Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com, the Vikings decision-makers — presumably head coach Kevin O’Connell and general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah — are now <a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/42982044/nfl-vikings-sam-darnold-free-agent-jj-mccarthy-daniel-jones" rel="noopener">open-minded about Darnold returning</a> to Minnesota for the 2025 season and beyond. What that means for JJ McCarthy remains to be seen. But for Darnold, it could mean he gets his wish of continuing to play for the Minnesota Vikings.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">“There’s no other place I’d rather play. Just so grateful to be a Viking.”</p><p>Sam Darnold after the biggest comeback of his career with the <a href="https://twitter.com/Vikings?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Vikings</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SKOL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SKOL</a> <a href="https://t.co/3v3WYC4quB">pic.twitter.com/3v3WYC4quB</a></p><p>— NFL on FOX Podcast (@NFLonFOXPod) <a href="https://twitter.com/NFLonFOXPod/status/1863337302434644337?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 1, 2024</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://instagram.com/embed.js"></script></p></figure><p>It’s not just Darnold who is speaking like an extended stay with the Vikings is in the cards. Coaches and teammates alike have praised the seven-year veteran for his performance this season.</p><p>“He’s playing so well, and he’s so rooted in the moment,” O’Connell told Seifert. Perhaps nobody’s endorsement is more important than that of <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/vikings-news-justin-jefferson-nfl-history-titans">Justin Jefferson, the record-setting wide receiver</a> who is closing in on a fourth All-Pro selection with Darnold throwing his way.</p><p>“He definitely has that strong arm to just be able to fit those throws into tight windows and just be able to run those deep throws and be able to take the top off defenses,” Jefferson said of Darnold. “Those are things that defenses got to respect. We feel like the whole playbook is kind of open toward Sam being able to throw it all across the field.”</p><p>Darnold and the Vikings are 11-2 and in good position to catch the banged-up Detroit Lions in the NFC North. A Week 18 matchup in Detroit could end up deciding the division, and who ends up with the top seed in the NFC heading into the Playoffs.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

NFL rumors: Vikings now more ‘open-minded’ about Sam Darnold’s future

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/vikings-football-news-dan-orlovsky-bold-prediction-sam-darnold-future');   ga('set', 'title', 'Dan Orlovsky makes bold prediction on Sam Darnold’s future with Vikings');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Vikings-football-news-Dan-Orlovsky-makes-bold-prediction-on-Sam-Darnolds-future-with-Vikings.jpg"></figure><h1>Dan Orlovsky makes bold prediction on Sam Darnold’s future with Vikings</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-10T13:39:39-08:00">December 10th, 1:39pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-10T13:39:39-08:00">December 10th, 1:39pm</time><address><a href="https://haydencilley.wixsite.com/hayden-cilley-s-port">Hayden Cilley</a>Hayden Cilley joined ClutchPoints in August 2024 as a Phoenix Suns and Mercury reporter, as well as an Associate Editor. Hayden graduated from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at Arizona State University while covering events like the 2023 NCAA Men's Final Four, the 2024 Vrbo Fiesta Bowl and the Arizona State men's swim and dive team. He recently covered the Phoenix Mercury for The Next Hoops and PHNX Sports.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Minnesota Vikings</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold has performed about as well as any NFL quarterback this season, and that caught former quarterback Dan Orlovsky’s attention. On the season, Darnold is having a career year. He’s throwing for 3,299 yards, 28 touchdowns, and only ten interceptions and has Minnesota sitting at an 11-2 record. Orlovsky said on the Pat McAfee Show that he thinks Darnold is a <a href="https://x.com/PatMcAfeeShow/status/1866544715421671599" rel="noopener">one-and-done</a> with the Vikings.<br><br>I don’t think he stays in Minnesota,” Orlovsky said. “I think he’s going to get a $150 or so million dollars from somebody else; I don’t think he should stay in Minnesota. I love Minnesota; I love Kevin O’Connell. But, I think wherever he goes, you have to make sure you run the same system, the same offensive system as Kevin O’Connell does.”<br><br>O’Connell is one of the more masterful minds in the NFL. After taking over as the Vikings head coach in 2022, he’s proved that he can work with any quarterback. He was <a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/vikings/news/sean-mcvay-not-surprised-by-kevin-o-connell-s-success-in-minnesota-01jar8gxytzw" rel="noopener">previously the offensive coordinator</a> for the Super Bowl-winning Los Angeles Rams. O’Connell worked with Matthew Stafford and helped him have a career season with LA.<br><br>Fast forward to Kirk Cousins and the Vikings. In his lone full season, Cousins had 4,547 passing yards, 29 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions. Darnold has nearly matched his touchdown total, and there are four more weeks. Cousins is a Pro Bowl quarterback with or without O’Connell, but his presence certainly helped.</p><h2><b>Where would Sam Darnold sign if he leaves the Vikings?</b></h2><p>Plenty of teams could use Darnold’s services at their quarterback spot, even if it’s for one year. For example, the Will Levis experiment with the Tennessee Titans is not working out well. The Titans could forego drafting a quarterback and sign someone like Darnold in free agency. <br><br>Although he’s performing well, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl-rumors-sam-darnolds-vikings-contract-talks-get-eye-opening-update">Darnold could command more than a one-year contract</a>, as Orlovsky says. <br><br>“You’re looking at nine teams that are probably looking at some way, shape, or form at a starting quarterback,” Orlovsky said. “Sam has been awesome this year. He’s been in the perfect place for his skill set I think he goes and gets a Kirk Cousins-type deal from last offseason, but I don’t think it’s in Minnesota.”<br><br>Another team that could use him is the New York Jets. The Aaron Rodgers experiment might have more days behind it than in front of it. Even though Darnold started his career in East Rutherford, he’s a different player than he was when he was first drafted. If Davante Adams and Breece Hall both stay, he’ll have legitimate weapons.<br><br>Still, having an offense like O’Connell’s will be hard to come by. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/vikings-news-sam-darnold-pulls-off-career-first-with-heroic-comeback-vs-cardinals">Darnold has been making career-firsts this season</a> with the Vikings. If he stays or he doesn’t, Darnold has proven that he’s a starting quarterback in the NFL.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Dan Orlovsky makes bold prediction on Sam Darnold’s future with Vikings

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/vikings-news-sam-darnold-last-laugh-epic-game-dreadful-kirk-cousins');   ga('set', 'title', 'Vikings’ Sam Darnold gets last laugh with epic game vs. dreadful Kirk Cousins');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Vikings-news-Sam-Darnold-gets-last-laugh-with-epic-game-vs.-dreadful-Kirk-Cousins.jpg"></figure><h1>Vikings’ Sam Darnold gets last laugh with epic game vs. dreadful Kirk Cousins</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-08T13:47:17-08:00">December 8th, 1:47pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-08T13:47:17-08:00">December 8th, 1:47pm</time><address><a>Christopher Hennessy</a>Christopher Hennessy graduated with a journalism degree from Fordham University in 2022. He has also worked at Spectrum News One in Albany, New York and with The Hockey Writers as a New York Islanders writer. Chris is originally from Connecticut and is a lifelong New York Yankees, Islanders, and Jets fan.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Atlanta Falcons</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Minnesota Vikings welcomed the Atlanta Falcons into their building and won 42-21 in Week 14. It marked the 11th win of Minnesota’s season with Sam Darnold at the helm. Meanwhile, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/falcons-news-kirk-cousins-shambles-disastrous-4-interception-game-chargers">Kirk Cousins threw two more interceptions</a> in Atlanta’s fourth straight loss. In a measuring stick game for this offseason’s moves, Darnold and the Vikings came out on top.</p><p>Kirk Cousins got a massive contract to play for the Falcons after six seasons with the Vikings. Just a few weeks later, Atlanta <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/grading-michael-penix-jr-s-2024-nfl-draft-landing-spot-with-falcons">drafted Washington quarterback Michael Penix</a> eighth overall, creating a QB controversy. It is games like this one that have fans and analysts clamoring for Penix to start at quarterback.</p><p>Meanwhile, the Vikings are rolling toward a playoff berth in Sam Darnold’s first, and likely only, season as the starter. They drafted JJ McCarthy out of Michigan just a few picks after Penix but he suffered a season-ending injury in preseason. That trusted Darnold into action and he has been nearly perfect. His five-touchdown performance has fans hoping for a deep postseason run.</p><p>Questions are swirling around the quarterback situation in Atlanta, especially considering the NFC South standings. The Buccaneers won on Sunday, regaining the lead by just one game. With the tiebreaker over Tampa, the Falcons still have a chance to win the South. But their loss to the Vikings won’t help.</p><h2><b>Vikings continue to roll with Sam Darnold</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Sam-Darnold-with-Minnesota-Vikings-3.jpg"><figcaption>Matt Krohn-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>The focus in Minnesota is on this season, as they have a chance to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl in February. But looking ahead, the Vikings will have a big decision to make at quarterback. ESPN’s Adam Schefter <a href="https://x.com/AdamSchefter/status/1865729857306390656" rel="noopener">reported on</a> Sunday that they were not looking to extend Darnold despite his great season. And then he went out and had the best game of his career.</p><p>Even with Darnold’s great season, McCarthy is the future of the Vikings. Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and Kevin O’Connell hand-selected McCarthy to replace Cousins after a great college career and used a premium pick to select him. One great year from a long-time backup should not disturb that plan.</p><p>What the Vikings saw today, however, was that they moved on from Cousins at the right time. He was great before tearing his Achilles last season but has looked slow with the Falcons. Their four straight losses have made a division race where there never should have been one. Even though they have a tough decision at quarterback upcoming, the Vikings can rest assured they made the right one last year.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Vikings’ Sam Darnold gets last laugh with epic game vs. dreadful Kirk Cousins

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/vikings-news-sam-darnold-justin-jefferson-recent-touchdown-drought');   ga('set', 'title', 'Vikings’ Sam Darnold addresses Justin Jefferson’s recent touchdown drought');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/0Sam-Darnold-addresses-Justin-Jeffersons-recent-touchdown-drought-0.jpg"></figure><h1>Vikings’ Sam Darnold addresses Justin Jefferson’s recent touchdown drought</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-08T09:46:40-08:00">December 8th, 9:46am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-08T09:46:40-08:00">December 8th, 9:46am</time><address><a>Malik Brown</a>Malik Brown is a multimedia reporter based in Atlanta who covers the Hawks and Dream for ClutchPoints. Malik has worked in entertainment and sports, and he specializes in the NBA and NFL.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Minnesota Vikings</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/vikings-news-vikings-justin-jefferson-reacts-wild-comeback-win-get-10-2">Minnesota Vikings are 10-2</a> coming into their game against the Atlanta Falcons, and the offense has been able to stay afloat despite not that many touchdowns from Justin Jefferson. He’s gone six straight games without a touchdown, which ties his longest streak. In an interview with NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Sam Darnold was asked about getting Jefferson a touchdown and if it will <a href="https://x.com/TomPelissero/status/1865785027478397321" rel="noopener">happen sooner rather than later</a>.</p><p>“We’ll see what we can do,” Darnold said. “He’s all about the team, as long as we’re performing well as a team, that’s all that matters to him.”</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Can Sam Darnold help Justin Jefferson end the longest TD drought of his career today? “We’ll see what we can do.”</p><p>My <a href="https://twitter.com/NFLGameDay?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NFLGameDay</a> arrival interview with the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Vikings?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Vikings</a> QB: <a href="https://t.co/9ExupTmrTa">pic.twitter.com/9ExupTmrTa</a></p><p>— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) <a href="https://twitter.com/TomPelissero/status/1865785027478397321?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 8, 2024</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>Jefferson is not getting in the end zone, but he is second in the league in receiving yards, so he’s still been able to be productive. The Falcons defense has been in the middle of the pack this season, so it’ll be interesting to see how they try to guard Jefferson.</p><h2>Justin Jefferson still producing for Vikings</h2><p>Teams have found out the way to stop Justin Jefferson from getting in the endzone is to double him, and it’s been working for the past six games. Despite the double teams, his teammates have <a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/vikings/news/despite-frequent-double-teams-justin-jefferson-just-keeps-producing-01jef3n263f8" rel="noopener">given him props</a> for the way he’s handled it.</p><p>“Usually, we can tell pretty early on what kind of program they want to give Justin,” Sam Darnold said via Will Ragatz of Sports Illustrated. “For him to be able to say, ‘OK, this is what they’re doing this game, and these are the plays that we have that can attack that.’ I think the patience we’ve shown to be able to handle those kind of things has been pretty good this year.”</p><p>Jefferson is still one of the best wide receivers in the league, and even if he gets one chance to go into the endzone, he’ll take it. The question is, will it be against the Falcons?</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Vikings’ Sam Darnold addresses Justin Jefferson’s recent touchdown drought

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl-rumors-sam-darnolds-vikings-contract-talks-get-eye-opening-update');   ga('set', 'title', 'NFL rumors: Sam Darnold’s Vikings contract talks get eye-opening update');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/NFL-rumors-Sam-Darnolds-Vikings-contract-talks-get-eye-opening-update.jpg"></figure><h1>NFL rumors: Sam Darnold’s Vikings contract talks get eye-opening update</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-08T08:55:35-08:00">December 8th, 8:55am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-09T15:03:08-08:00">December 9th, 3:03pm</time><address><a>Ben Strauss</a>Ben Strauss is an Associate Editor at ClutchPoints. He is a die-hard NFL fan who cheers for the Detroit Lions. He has previously written fantasy football content for IDPGuys and ImportantNonsense.com.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Minnesota Vikings</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Minnesota Vikings have been one of the most pleasant surprises of the 2024 NFL season. Nobody expected the Vikings to be a competitive team after losing Kirk Cousins. However, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl-power-rankings-week-14-steelers-win-shootout-lions-avoid-upset">Minnesota is 10-2 heading into Week 14</a> and is <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfc-playoff-picture-after-buccaneers-win-falcons-lose-in-week-13">still alive in the NFC North division race</a>.</p><p>The Vikings <a href="https://x.com/AdamSchefter/status/1865729857306390656" rel="noopener">have not had any discussions</a> regarding a long-term contract with QB Sam Darnold, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Darnold is scheduled to be a free agent after the 2024 season.</p><p>This is a somewhat surprising development for the Vikings. Darnold has achieved a ton of success with Minnesota this season mitigating the loss of Kirk Cousins, who the Vikings play on Sunday. However, Vikings fans who have been paying attention should not be all that shocked.</p><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl-rumors-vikings-comfortable-sam-darnold-bolting-more-money">Minnesota has already been rumored to be happy letting Darnold walk in free agency</a>. There are two main reasons for this.</p><p>First, Darnold is likely going to be an expensive quarterback to acquire this offseason. He is having a career season with Minnesota, and his price tag will only go up if the Vikings go on a deep playoff run.</p><p>Second, the Vikings have already invested a first-round pick in quarterback J.J. McCarthy. The rookie <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/vikings-news-jj-mccarthy-injury-update">suffered a season-ending injury during the preseason</a> and is the presumptive future of the franchise.</p><p>Everything seems to add up to Sam Darnold leaving Minnesota in free agency for a starting job somewhere else. It will be interesting to see what happens during the spring.</p><h2><b>Vikings’ Justin Jefferson gives Kirk Cousins his flowers ahead of Week 14 grudge match</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Justin-Jefferson-with-Minnesota-Vikings-2-1.jpg"><figcaption>Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Vikings fans are undoubtedly excited for Week 14’s huge game against Kirk Cousins and the Falcons.</p><p>Cousins, the long-time Vikings QB, left Minnesota this offseason and <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/grading-kirk-cousins-4-year-180-million-contract-with-falcons">signed a massive contract with the Falcons</a>. But that does not mean that he is a hated man by his former team.</p><p>Justin Jefferson <a href="https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/justin-jefferson-on-kirk-cousins-ill-always-be-thankful-for-what-hes-done-for-me" rel="noopener">heaped praise on his former QB</a> earlier this week ahead of this big game.</p><p>“[J]ust seeing him, and seeing his day-to-day routine, seeing how he comes to work every day, and how he’s on the playbook, how he’s studying hard every single day, how he’s so much into the book — I love that about him,” Jefferson said via Myles Simmons of ProFootballTalk.</p><p>“And just his work ethic, and just him as a person is great, always. It’s always great to have a quarterback that you can joke around with and be yourself with and just to have his locker right next to mine and talk to him every single day and be with him every single day — it was definitely a great experience.”</p><p>Jefferson has good reason to praise Cousins. He amassed 392 receptions for 5,899 yards and 30 touchdowns during Cousins’ tenure with the Vikings.</p><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/minnesota-vikings/schedule/upcoming">Vikings vs. Falcons will kick off at 1PM ET on FOX</a>.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

NFL rumors: Sam Darnold’s Vikings contract talks get eye-opening update

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/vikings-news-sam-darnold-pulls-off-career-first-with-heroic-comeback-vs-cardinals');   ga('set', 'title', 'Vikings’ Sam Darnold pulls off career first with heroic comeback vs. Cardinals');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Vikings-Sam-Darnold-pulls-off-career-first-with-heroic-comeback-vs.-Cardinals.jpg"></figure><h1>Vikings’ Sam Darnold pulls off career first with heroic comeback vs. Cardinals</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-01T14:24:10-08:00">December 1st, 2:24pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-01T14:24:52-08:00">December 1st, 2:24pm</time><address><a>Quinn Allen</a>Quinn Allen is a Senior Associate Editor with ClutchPoints. He specializes mainly in soccer, basketball, and baseball. When Quinn isn't producing content for CP,  he's writing sports betting predictions for numerous sites across North America.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Minnesota Vikings</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Minnesota Vikings improved to 10-2 on Sunday with a comeback victory over the Arizona Cardinals by a score of 23-22 and quarterback Sam Darnold<a href="https://x.com/SeifertESPN/status/1863329577210097730" rel="noopener"> set a career first</a> in the process.</p><p>Via Kevin Seifert of ESPN:</p><p>“Sam Darnold throws the first go-ahead touchdown in the final 2 minutes of Q4/OT in his career, and the defense holds to give the Vikings a 23-22 win over the Cardinals. They’re 10-2 with home games upcoming against the Falcons and Bears.”</p><p>The first time Darnold has ever thrown a go-ahead TD that late in a game or overtime. Better late than never, right? <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/vikings-news-sam-darnold-hot-start-2024-25-season">The signal-caller has been a revelation for Minnesota</a> this season after stepping in as QB1 when<a href="https://clutchpoints.com/vikings-news-jj-mccarthy-injury-update"> rookie JJ McCarthy suffered an injury</a> before Week 1.</p><p>The 27-year-old has completed 67.6% of his passes for 2,717 yards and 21 touchdowns against 10 interceptions in 12 games. On Sunday, he completed 21 of his 31 throws for 235 yards and two TDs. Justin Jefferson was his top target, reeling in seven grabs for 99 yards.</p><p>The Vikings trailed by 13 points but behind Darnold, clawed their way back. He found Aaron Jones for a TD with 1:13 left in the fourth to give Minnesota the lead for good.</p><p>They were actually outgained 406-273 in this contest but managed to get it done in the end. While no one could’ve predicted the Vikings would have one of the best records in the NFL right now, they’re truly a scary team to play, having also won five in a row.</p><p>Darnold has definitely earned himself a nice payday in free agency next year. It’s not expected that he’ll be back in Minny, but the quarterback could be a nice addition for a variety of clubs after a career season where he’s well on his way to taking the Vikings to the playoffs.</p><p>Minnesota is back in action next Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Vikings’ Sam Darnold pulls off career first with heroic comeback vs. Cardinals

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/vikings-news-sam-darnold-reacts-daniel-jones-signing');   ga('set', 'title', 'Vikings’ Sam Darnold reacts to Daniel Jones signing');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Vikings-news-Sam-Darnold-reacts-to-Daniel-Jones-signing.jpg"></figure><h1>Vikings’ Sam Darnold reacts to Daniel Jones signing</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-11-28T08:33:47-08:00">November 28th, 8:33am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-11-28T08:33:47-08:00">November 28th, 8:33am</time><address><a>Dan Fappiano</a>Dan Fappiano is a Connecticut based sports journalist and a graduate of both Tunxis Community College and Central Connecticut State University. Dan has spent time covering high school and professional sports in both the print and online medium. He hopes to see his beloved Chicago Bears win a Super Bowl someday.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Minnesota Vikings</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Sam Darnold has rightfully earned his place atop the Minnesota Vikings’ quarterback totem pole. Still, as the team evaluates the present and future of the position, the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/vikings-news-kevin-oconnell-breaks-silence-daniel-jones-signing">Vikings signed Daniel Jones to their practice squad</a>.</p><p>Jones will be learning under Darnold <a href="https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/sam-darnold-very-happy-to-have-daniel-jones-as-a-teammate" rel="noopener">as he tries to revamp</a> his NFL career. In turn, Darnold is excited for the knowledge and experience Jones will bring to Minnesota, via Pro Football Talk.</p><p>“Signing DJ today, very happy to be teammates with him,” Darnold said. “Spent some time with him in the past. Great guy. He’s played a lot of football, so just to be able to draw from his experience in certain things is going to help this football team.”</p><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/vikings-news-daniel-jones-signs-with-minnesota-after-giants-release">Jones comes to the Vikings</a> after spending the first six years of his NFL career with the New York Giants. He went 24-44-1 as a starter, throwing for 14,582 yards, 70 touchdowns and 47 interceptions. The buck ran out for him during the 2024 season, where he went just 2-8 as a starter. He completed 63.3 percent of his passes 2,070 yards, eight touchdowns and seven interceptions.</p><p>But if Jones wants to turn things around, Sam Darnold will be an excellent teacher. He knows what it’s like to be a heralded first-round quarterback and not pan out. Darnold also knows how to rebound, and become a starting QB once again.</p><p>Darnold has led the Vikings to a 9-2 record in 2o24. He is completing 67.6 percent of his passes for 2,717 yards, 21 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Darnold has already surpassed his career touchdown pass total and reached a new career-high in wins. If the season were to end, his completion percentage would also be a career-high.</p><p>But Darnold is set to be a free agent after the season, which is where Daniel Jones comes back in. As he learns Minnesota’s system, perhaps he will eventually be Darnold’s replacement if he decides to depart.</p><p>However, for now, they both have the same goal. Darnold will be on the field hoping to lead the Vikings to greatness. Jones will be patiently waiting and ready if his number ever gets called.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Vikings’ Sam Darnold reacts to Daniel Jones signing

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl-rumors-vikings-comfortable-sam-darnold-bolting-more-money');   ga('set', 'title', 'NFL rumors: Vikings ‘comfortable’ with Sam Darnold bolting for more money');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/NFL-rumors-Vikings-comfortable-with-Sam-Darnold-bolting-for-more-money.jpg"></figure><h1>NFL rumors: Vikings ‘comfortable’ with Sam Darnold bolting for more money</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-11-27T09:07:24-08:00">November 27th, 9:07am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-11-27T09:07:24-08:00">November 27th, 9:07am</time><address><a>Ben Strauss</a>Ben Strauss is an Associate Editor at ClutchPoints. He is a die-hard NFL fan who cheers for the Detroit Lions. He has previously written fantasy football content for IDPGuys and ImportantNonsense.com.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Minnesota Vikings</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Minnesota Vikings have been one of the most pleasant surprises of the 2024 NFL season. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl-power-rankings-week-13-packers-cruise-texans-commanders-upset">Minnesota is 9-2 heading into Week 13</a> and is one game back in the NFC North division standings. They are <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfc-playoff-picture-seahawks-win-vs-cardinals-week-12">firmly in the mix to make the playoffs in the NFC</a>. Minnesota will have some interesting decision to make this offseason, including at the QB position.</p><p>Vikings QB Sam Darnold was selected as <a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/insider/story/_/id/42623824/nfl-week-13-buzz-news-updates-fantasy-tips-predictions-questions" rel="noopener">one of the most interesting QBs to watch</a> in the coming offseason, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano. Fowler and Graziano believe that Darnold strong play, plus the presence of first-round pick J.J. McCarthy, could put the Vikings in an awkward position next spring. It’s entirely possible that the Vikings are comfortable letting Darnold walk and transitioning to McCarthy instead.</p><p>“Yeah, Darnold is probably pricing himself out of Minnesota, which was all part of the plan,” Fowler wrote. “The Vikings are totally comfortable with Darnold using one season in Minnesota as a springboard to a bigger contract elsewhere.”</p><p>Fowler also noted some of the reasons why Darnold could be a hot commodity. He is currently fourth in the NFL with 21 touchdown passes. Darnold is ninth in passing yards with 2,717. Fowler believes that those numbers could justify Darnold earning a mid-tier contract similar to those recently given to Geno Smith or Baker Mayfield.</p><p>If that truly is Darnold’s market, the Vikings will almost certainly let him walk instead of getting into a bidding war.</p><h2><b>Vikings add QB Daniel Jones after Giants release</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Daniel-Jones-with-the-ball.jpg"><figcaption>© Kirby Lee-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>The Vikings have to wait until next season to get their first look at <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/vikings-news-jj-mccarthy-injury-timeline">J.J. McCarthy because of his season-ending injury</a>. Minnesota <a href="https://x.com/Schultz_Report/status/1861792629886685622" rel="noopener">recently added a new QB</a> to back up Sam Darnold in the meantime.</p><p>The Vikings have signed former Giants QB Daniel Jones, per NFL insider Jordan Schultz. Jones had several teams vying to sign him. He chose Minnesota because they are a contending team with a QB-friendly system and a coaching staff known for maximizing their players’ potential.</p><p>Savvy Vikings could have seen this signing coming. Vikings coach <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/vikings-news-kevin-oconnell-raises-eyebrows-daniel-jones-comments">Kevin O’Connell spoke about the possibility of adding Jones</a> on Monday.</p><p>“I really can’t get into too much about any short-term or long-term. I can just say that I’ve been a big fan of Daniel’s for a long time and I hope wherever his next step takes him, it’s a good opportunity for him,” O’Connell said, per Adam Schefter.</p><p>Now the Vikings have some insurance at the QB position as they prepare to make a deep playoff push in January.</p><p>Next up for the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/minnesota-vikings/schedule/upcoming">Vikings is a Week 13 matchup against the Cardinals</a>.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

NFL rumors: Vikings ‘comfortable’ with Sam Darnold bolting for more money

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/vikings-news-kevin-oconnell-reveals-sam-darnolds-request-after-injury-vs-bears');   ga('set', 'title', 'Vikings’ Kevin O’Connell reveals Sam Darnold’s request after injury vs. Bears');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Kevin-OConnell-reveals-Sam-Darnolds-request-after-injury-vs.-Bears.jpg"></figure><h1>Vikings’ Kevin O’Connell reveals Sam Darnold’s request after injury vs. Bears</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-11-24T15:49:43-08:00">November 24th, 3:49pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-11-25T14:52:35-08:00">November 25th, 2:52pm</time><address><a>Alex House</a>Alex House is a sports journalist who covers the NFL, NBA, and MLB for ClutchPoints. He grew up in a New York sports-heavy region in Connecticut and earned his journalism degree at the University of Rhode Island. His in-depth knowledge of two of the most passionate and raucous fan bases in the country gives him a truly unique writing voice.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Minnesota Vikings</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold gutted through the end of Sunday’s dramatic 30-27 <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/bears-news-caleb-williams-heroics-silver-lining-loss">overtime victory against the Chicago Bears</a>, returning to the field after briefly leaving with a foot injury in the fourth quarter. His head coach, Kevin O’Connell, <a href="https://x.com/BenGoessling/status/1860811114008756447" rel="noopener">used a simple system</a> to see how he was feeling.</p><p>“When Darnold went back in, O’Connell said he asked Darnold if he was above a 6 on a scale of 1-10,” the Minnesota Star Tribune’s Ben Goessling posted on X. “Darnold gave a thumbs up. O’Connell asked again if Darnold was above an 8. Darnold gave another thumbs-up. And then I think he said, ‘Stop asking,’ O’Connell said.”</p><p>The breakout QB was clearly in some discomfort during the final stretch of this NFC North matchup after Bears defensive tackle Gervon Dexter landed on his ankle area. He was already <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/vikings-news-sam-darnold-likely-to-play-bears-foot-injury">nursing a foot injury</a> in the lead-up to this game.</p><p>In spite of everything, Darnold executed a game-winning drive in OT. He connected with Justin Jefferson and TJ Hockenson for clutch 20-plus yard receptions to set up the decisive 29-yard field goal, showing no signs of vulnerability in Soldier Field.</p><p>The dogged performance inches the Vikings (9-2) closer to the playoffs and keeps them one game behind the Detroit Lions for first place in the division and conference. It also should raise his free-agent market value a bit more. The rejuvenated signal-caller threw for 330 passing yards and two touchdowns without recording an interception.</p><p>Darnold’s strong showing is delightful news to the members of Skol Nation who might have been feeling anxious after seeing him collect six turnovers in the previous three weeks. Kevin O’Connell possesses one of the best offensive minds in the NFL today, though, and he once again constructed a game plan that accentuated his QB’s strengths.</p><h2><b>Do the Vikings have the right formula to survive the NFC?</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Vikings-QB-Sam-Darnold-drops-back-to-pass.jpg"><figcaption>Daniel Bartel-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>With a good working rapport and apparently an effective line of communication, Darnold and O’Connell are leading a Vikings offense that is significantly better than many anticipated. It also helps when Aaron Jones rushes for 106 yards and a touchdown, although a lot of that gain was offset by a costly fumble at the goal line in the first quarter.</p><p>Minnesota is not playing its best brand of football, but it is finding ways to survive. That sentence might be a nauseous reminder for fans who recall the 2022-23 team that owned an 11-0 record in one-possession games but lost to Daniel Jones and the New York Giants in the playoffs, 31-24. O’Connell and the Vikings are intent on flipping the script this season, however.</p><p>They get back at it when the Arizona Cardinals (6-4) enter U.S. Bank Stadium next Sunday afternoon. Hopefully by then, Sam Darnold’s foot issue will not register on the pain scale at all.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Vikings’ Kevin O’Connell reveals Sam Darnold’s request after injury vs. Bears

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/vikings-news-sam-darnold-likely-to-play-bears-foot-injury');   ga('set', 'title', 'Vikings’ Sam Darnold likely to play vs. Bears despite foot injury');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Sam-Darnold-likely-to-play-vs.jpg"></figure><h1>Vikings’ Sam Darnold likely to play vs. Bears despite foot injury</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-11-21T13:51:12-08:00">November 21st, 1:51pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-11-21T14:14:44-08:00">November 21st, 2:14pm</time><address><a>Christopher Smith</a>Christopher Smith is an associate editor covering a variety of sports with a beat focus on the Chicago Sky for ClutchPoints. The Aurora, Illinois native earned a degree in philosophy from Creighton University, where he also competed as a Division 1 Cross Country runner.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Minnesota Vikings</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Minnesota Vikings are preparing for an <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/vikings-vs-bears-predictions-pick-odds-spread-for-nfl-week-12-2024">important divisional matchup against the Chicago Bears</a> in Week 12. Minnesota will enter the matchup on a three-game winning streak, but they will still need to stay on their toes. Thankfully, the Vikings received an optimistic injury update on starting quarterback Sam Darnold ahead of the game.</p><p>Darnold has been nursing a foot injury that has questioned his availability, as he was limited in Wednesday’s practice. However, he was listed as a full participant in practice on Thursday and is <a href="https://x.com/AdamSchefter/status/1859712032297320629" rel="noopener">tracking to play</a> against the Bears on Sunday, per Adam Schefter of ESPN.</p><p>Sam Darnold previously landed on the Vikings’ injury report for Week 11 against the Tennessee Titans with a right hand ailment. Yet, he was able to suit up and provide stout production. Darnold threw for 246 yards and two touchdowns in Minnesota’s 23-13 win. Hopefully, he will not experience any setbacks in his foot injury recovery going into Week 12’s Chicago matchup.</p><p>ClutchPoints’ Shane Shoemaker wrote <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/minnesota-vikings-bold-predictions-for-week-12-vs-bears">four Vikings bold predictions for their Bears test</a>, one of which included another solid Darnold performance.</p><p>“Despite the hand issue, Darnold performed well against Tennessee, completing 20-of-32 passes for 246 yards and two touchdowns while avoiding any interceptions. However, he still leads the league in turnovers with 14, including a lost fumble last week,” Shoemaker began.</p><p>“Facing a Bears defense that has forced five fumbles and recorded nine interceptions this season, predicting a turnover-free game from Darnold is bold. Still, we’re calling for him to finish with 230 passing yards, at least one touchdown, and zero turnovers.”</p><p>If Darnold’s health stays good, he is poised to do well against Chicago. However, the Bears will not let him and the Vikings get off easy. The Windy City squad is on a four-game losing streak and is desperate for momentum.</p><p>Can Minnesota gain the upper hand in this NFC North matchup?</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Vikings’ Sam Darnold likely to play vs. Bears despite foot injury

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/vikings-news-sam-darnold-aaron-jones-week-11-titans');   ga('set', 'title', 'Vikings’ Sam Darnold, Aaron Jones good to go for Week 11 vs. Titans');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Vikings-news-Sam-Darnold-Aaron-Jones-good-to-go-for-Week-11-vs.-Titans.jpg"></figure><h1>Vikings’ Sam Darnold, Aaron Jones good to go for Week 11 vs. Titans</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-11-15T12:40:58-08:00">November 15th, 12:40pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-11-15T17:05:25-08:00">November 15th, 5:05pm</time><address><a>Matt De Lima</a>Matt De Lima is an Associate Editor for NFL and college football at ClutchPoints. He has been covering sports for over 12 years at sites like Sports Illustrated, The Game Day, and countless others. Born and raised in California, he is a graduate of Virginia Tech and a diehard Hokies fan who now resides in southern Maryland.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Minnesota Vikings</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Minnesota Vikings had quarterback Sam Darnold (right hand) and running back Aaron Jones (ribs) pop up on this week’s injury report as limited practice participants earlier in the week. Luckily for the 7-2 Vikes, both Darnold and Jones will play in Week 11 against the Tennessee Titans, per NFL insider Tom Pelissero. Minnesota has no injury designations heading into their upcoming road matchup.</p><p>Darnold is coming off his worst game of the season. He completed 24-of-38 passes for 241 yards and three interceptions against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Jones finished the game with 19 touches for 101 combined yards.</p><p>The Vikings are 3-0 against the AFC South with wins against the Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts and Jaguars.</p><h2><b>Vikings hold No. 5 seed in NFC playoffs</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Vikings-Sam-Darnold-passing-to-Aaron-Jones.jpg"><figcaption>© Brad Rempel-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>If the playoffs began today, Minnesota would be on the road against the No. 4 Arizona Cardinals. The Vikings are in great shape, and they currently have a 92% chance of making the postseason.</p><p>It’s not all good news out of Minnesota, though. Rookie <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/vikings-news-jj-mccarthy-second-knee-surgery">J.J. McCarthy was forced to go under the knife</a> with a follow-up surgery. Thankfully, there is no change to his recovery timeline.</p><p>“As his rehab has picked up, we noticed a little swelling in there… Just wanted to make sure there was no cause for concern and all reports were very positive. He’s on the original timeline in good shape,” head coach Kevin O’Connell said, via Adam Schefter on X.</p><p>The Vikings will likely need McCarthy next year, as Darnold is on a one-year deal. Six teams are rumored to be possibilities next season if the veteran departs, per ESPN’s Dan Graziano.</p><p>“I doubt Darnold ends up back in Minnesota, where the Vikings want to have the decks cleared for J.J. McCarthy once their first-round pick is healthy again,” said Graziano. “Never say never, of course, and if McCarthy’s recovery from his knee injury is delayed, who knows? But my guess is someone will want to pay Darnold more than the Vikings, given McCarthy’s status as their future starter.</p><p>“Let’s go with the Titans. I’ve identified at least six teams that either need a bridge quarterback or could entertain the notion soon,” said ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. “The Titans are in the latter category. Will Levis has the next eight games to show he can be the long-term answer at quarterback. Maybe he proves the Titans right. But if his penchant for interceptions reemerges, the Titans will need contingencies in 2025. Darnold is a proven commodity who would give Tennessee a bridge starter option while it continues to develop Levis or selects a quarterback high in the 2025 draft. So in this scenario, he would be the starter for coach Brian Callahan.”</p><p>“Many teams — the Panthers, Colts, Raiders, Browns and possibly the Jets — face a similar plight. Do any of those make sense for Darnold? Or is a return to Minnesota still on the table?”</p><p>The Vikings travel to Nashville to face the Titans in Week 11 on Sunday, November 17, at 1:00 p.m. EST.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

2024 SEASON STATS
PASSING YDS	PASSING TDS	INTERCEPTIONS	POSITION RANK
6445.6	54.6	18.8	7

2024 SEASON STATS
PASSING YDS	PASSING TDS	INTERCEPTIONS	POSITION RANK
6445.6	54.6	18.8	7

Sam Darnold news

Sam
Darnold news