Stephen A. Smith Continues Anti-Vikings Crusade
Last week, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith compared Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold to a virus. Now, even after the purple team upset the San Francisco 49ers in Week 2, Smith believes the Vikings will miss the postseason.
Stephen A. Smith Continues Anti-Vikings Crusade
Why? He’s not sold on Darnold. Smith refuses to acknowledge that Darnold could possibly experience a career rejuvenation.
“I saw Sam Darnold over the last six years. I’m not a believer yet. I’m not rooting against him, against this kid. Got a really big arm. I get all of that. But I’m not sold on what I’m seeing yet,” Smith said on First Take this week when asked if Minnesota could make the playoffs.
Darnold ranks fifth in the NFL through two games per quarterback EPA+CPOE, a metric that measures efficiency and expected wins added. He’s delivered 4 touchdown passes en route to Minnesota’s unblemished record.
Smith added, “I know a lot of people are because Kevin O’Connell can really, really coach, and his staff is considered an exceptional coaching staff. And I get that. Maybe we’re seeing a new Sam Darnold that we’re going to be able to revere for years to come. I’m just not sure, guys. Not yet.”
The Vikings began the regular season with +8000 odds to win the Super Bowl in February, and after the 2-0 start, the moneyline has climbed to +4500. And sportsbooks claim Minnesota has a coinflip’s chances to reach the playoffs, up from 28% when the season began.
Smith also wasn’t shy last week about his disdain for Darnold.
He likened the Vikings signal-caller to a virus. “If you’re around some people with a cold enough, you’re going to get one. If you’re around some people with a virus, you’re going to get it. Contamination. You ever heard of that word? It happens,” Smith said last Thursday about Darnold’s presence on the Vikings’ roster.
“When you’re around certain situations, ultimately, you become a byproduct of that. That’s what I am saying of Sam Darnold. I’m telling you, you’re very hopeful and I can appreciate that. But you’re sitting up there, talking to us like we’re supposed to expect the high level of production from this brother. I’m not doing that. I got to see it to believe it. That’s all I’m saying,” Smith continued.
The Vikings host the Houston Texans this weekend at U.S. Bank Stadium and are expected to lose by two points. Oddsmakers also theorized Minnesota would lose to San Francisco in Week 2 by 4.5 points. They won by six.
Perhaps a 3-0 start would cause Smith to warm up to Darnold.
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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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