Despite a strong effort and one of the most determined performances of his career, former USC Trojans quarterback Sam Darnold and the Minnesota Vikings came up short against the Detroit Lions in a thrilling 31-29 loss.
The Vikings are no longer unbeaten, but Darnold remains as confident as ever about the future.
The Minnesota Vikings entered Sunday’s division clash against the Detroit Lions with a perfect 5-0 record. After a hard-fought, four-quarter battle, the Lions handed the Vikings their first defeat of the season in a 31-29 showdown.
Despite the loss, former USC Trojans quarterback Sam Darnold had one of his most resilient games, bouncing back from an early interception.
“That’s just the kind of team we have. No matter the score or situation, we’re going to keep fighting and be resilient,” Darnold said during the post-game press conference.
WATCH: #Vikings players Justin Jefferson, Josh Metellus, Sam Darnold and coach Kevin O'Connell react after today's 31-29 loss to the Lions, their first of the season.
"This is a chance to look in the mirror and find out what we’re really about." pic.twitter.com/vwxGxZAFe6
— FOX 9 (@FOX9) October 20, 2024
Darnold ended the game completing 22 of 27 passes for 259 yards, with one touchdown and one interception. In a surprising twist, he also contributed as the Vikings’ second-leading rusher, gaining 39 yards on four attempts.
The Vikings’ offense was inconsistent but excelled in the second half, outscoring the Lions 19-10 in the last two quarters.
Minnesota’s comeback attempt fell short, as Detroit won with a late field goal. After the game, Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell expressed confidence in his team.
O’Connell said, “I have full confidence in the guys in the locker room and the coaching staff. Today’s result means nothing for the future except that we need to keep working and improving as a team.”
Darnold now has 12 passing touchdowns for the season, placing him fourth in the NFL. He’s completing 66.5% of his passes, with a 104.0 quarterback rating and only five interceptions.
Though not flawless, Darnold has exceeded expectations and kept the Vikings competitive in every game.
“It’s still early in the season. Detroit is a good team. Green Bay is a really good team. Chicago is also good. We’ll keep our heads down and work hard. We have a short week, so guys are already recovering and preparing for Thursday,” Darnold added.
The Vikings are now 5-1, one of the few teams with only one loss. They remain in a strong position for a playoff spot and are contenders to win the highly competitive NFC North. They’ll have a chance to bounce back when they face the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday Night Football.
