Dec 16, 2023; Inglewood, CA, USA; Rob Gronkowski (middle) sings the during the National Anthem with the New Directions Veterans Choir before the Starco Brands LA Bowl at SoFi Stadium. Gronkowski is the host of the game. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images.
The Minnesota Vikings damn near lost to a 2-7 team with the NFL’s worst defense.
But the crisis was averted on Sunday when the defense locked in for three hours and the team’s new kicker, Parker Romo, performed flawlessly. Minnesota defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars by a score of 12-7, upping its fancy record to 7-2.
And one prominent Viking’s struggles drew the ire of future Hall of Famer Rob Gronkowski, who provides commentary and analysis for Fox. That’s quarterback Sam Darnold, and Gronkowski sounded wickedly unimpressed with Darnold’s 3 interceptions.
“He’s hurting the team,” Gronkowski told Fox co-host Michael Strahan. “Sam Darnold cannot throw these picks. He’s doing it again. Sam Darnold is hurting the team.”
Gronkowski’s critique hit home, too. Darnold, indeed, affected the Vikings’ chances of winning on Sunday. Minnesota won in spite of Darnold — again, thanks to intense defense. Senior researcher for the NFL Dante Koplowitz-Fleming tweeted Sunday, mere hours after the Vikings’ win: “Teams with zero touchdowns and at least three turnovers were 0-147 since 2010. The Vikings are the first team to win such a game since the Packers in 2006 (against the Vikings).”
Minnesota, as a team, is already rallying around Darnold. Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell quickly stomped out any quarterback controversy after the game. Reporters asked O’Connell if he had a moment when he considered tossing Mullens into action, and he replied, “Not one. Not one all day long. In fact, I was looking at it as a great opportunity to see growth and continue to move the team. We’re going to check back on this moment and use it the right way, and Sam is going to be better off for it. I truly do believe that.”
Running back Aaron Jones spoke with Kay Adams on Monday, and she asked him about his confidence level in Darnold.
“110%,” Jones gave his confidence meter a percentage. “We ride with Sam. He’s what has gotten us here so far. We’re gonna continue to stick by his side. We know he’s a great quarterback. He can touch any blade of grass on the field throwing that ball.
“I mean, you just have some games like that. That’s what teammates are there for, to pick each other up. That’s what our defense was there for — to hold them to seven points the whole game so we could win off the field goals.”
Jones added, “We all got Sam’s back. 100%. 110% believe in him. He’s gonna show you guys. He’s used to the narrative that’s gonna come out or be spun.”
The only real recourse for Darnold’s woes should they persist — the best alternative, rookie passer J.J. McCarthy, is on Injured Reserve for the season with a torn meniscus — would be QB2 Nick Mullens. But the knock on him is … too many interceptions.
On the whole, Vikings fans have been warned about Darnold — by one of the greatest pass-catchers in history.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.