One Vikings Player’s Prediction Was So Damn Right
Aaron Jones predicted it a month ago — and he was right.
One Vikings Player’s Prediction Was So Damn Right
In a Week 10 game at the Jacksonville Jaguars — that the Minnesota Vikings won regardless — quarterback Sam Darnold played woefully, delivering three crucial interceptions to the Jaguars’ defense while accounting for no touchdowns.
The struggles were so pronounced that some Vikings fans daydreamed about inserting QB2 Nick Mullens into the lineup because, in their estimation, the Darnold magic had run out.
Well, that was wrong, and Jones knew it. Darnold merely had a bad game, like thousands before him.
Jones spoke with Kay Adams on the Monday after the Jaguars game, 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.”
After Darnold’s third pick of the game, social media exploded, calling for Darnold to hit the sidelines in favor of Mullens — who is even more famous for throwing interceptions than Darnold. Others, like Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio, suggested that Minnesota sign free-agent passer Ryan Tannehill and let it ride.
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.”
Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell, too, rapidly and emphatically squashed 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.”
O’Connell added, “We’re still 100% confident in Sam. It would be craziness not to be.”
Craziness was right.
Darnold produced the best game of his career on Sunday, helping his Vikings defeat Kirk Cousins’ team 42-21, marking Minnesota’s first 40+ point game in five years. In fact, since the Jaguars outing, Darnold has banked 11 touchdown passes to zero interceptions. He’s on pace for about 4,300 passing yards, 38 touchdowns, and 13 picks this season.
When it was all said and done, the man had a single bad game.
Jones knew it, and Jones knew his quarterback would bounce back.
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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.
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