One of quarterback Sam Darnold’s 12 completions to lead the Vikings back from a 13-point deficit late in the third quarter of Sunday’s victory over the Arizona Cardinals might best illustrate the progress he’s made through 12 games leading the offense.
The Vikings trailed 19-13 and lost four yards when Cardinals linebacker Baron Browning overpowered fullback C.J. Ham in the backfield and tackled running back Cam Akers.
Coach Kevin O’Connell called a downfield passing play that sent all three receivers past the first-down marker, urging his quarterback to fire away. O’Connell later commended Darnold on second-and-14 for not fearing the situation. He remained aggressive, avoided the checkdown option, which was tight end T.J. Hockenson, and fired an 18-yard pass that allowed receiver Justin Jefferson to add 12 yards after the catch.
The 30-yard play moved the Vikings into Cardinals territory, from where they kicked a key field goal in the fourth quarter of a one-point victory.
“Maybe the most critical throw all game,” O’Connell said. “He felt the void his back foot hit and he turned it loose. ... It’s built around principles of attacking voids and vacancies and knowing my arm talent to be able to turn the ball loose with great timing and some anticipation.”
The Vikings trailed 19-6 when Darnold got the ball back with 4:37 left in the third quarter.
From there, Darnold completed 12 of 17 passes for 156 yards and two touchdowns for the largest comeback victory of his career through 68 NFL starts.
This was also Darnold’s third game-winning drive of the season, tying 2019 for the most he’s had in one year. He’s done it in the last four games, including the go-ahead, fourth-quarter drive in Jacksonville where he also threw three interceptions. Darnold has played especially well since the Jaguars game, throwing six touchdowns to zero interceptions over the last three victories.