Vikings Have MVP Chatter for You Know Who
Operations are humming so fluidly for Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold that he’s entered the MVP race.
Vikings Have MVP Chatter for You Know Who
A pinch-me moment for Vikings fans, it’s true — Darnold now has the same odds of winning the league’s most prominent award as Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, if that can be believed.
The veteran signal-caller, who appears en route to fully effectuating a reclamation season, leads the NFL in touchdown passes and ranks seventh per quarterback EPA+CPOE. And none of his performances through three games feels accidental. After six disappointing seasons in New York, Carolina, and San Francisco (only disappointing for Darnold in San Francisco because he didn’t start), Darnold has arrived and wiggled into the MVP race.
As of September 25th, these are the live odds for MVP:
- Josh Allen = +200
- Patrick Mahomes = +325
- C.J. Stroud = +1300
- Aaron Rodgers = +1600
- Jalen Hurts = +1600
- Lamar Jackson = +2000
- Sam Darnold = +2500
- Joe Burrow = +2500
- Brock Purdy = +2500
Minnesota is undefeated at 3-0, and all things Vikings are cruising through three games. But to appreciate Darnold’s sudden majesty, one must glance at his statistical pace in 2024. It’s mind-boggling. Scaled to a full 17-game season, Darnold is on pace for this 2024 stat line:
- 3,723 Passing Yards
- 45 TD Passes
- 11 INTs
In that vein — Darnold’s pace — it’s no wonder he has catapulted MVP odds list. Forty-five passing touchdowns are no joke.
Darnold also avoided a brief injury scare in Week 3, which would’ve derailed his MVP hopes and possibly the Vikings’ season. Former Vikings outside linebacker Danielle Hunter, who plays for the Houston Texans, rolled into Darnold’s leg on Sunday during his team’s 34-7 loss to Minnesota, sidelining Darnold for a play and generating early-week suspense about his short- and long-term status.
However, a Monday MRI revealed a knee bruise for Darnold with no structural damage. The veteran passer even participated fully in practice on Wednesday, four days before his team hits the road for a meeting with the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. He’s a full go.
A Viking last won the MVP award in 2012, Adrian Peterson. In fact, Peterson was the last non-quarterback to take home the trophy, as the honor has morphed into a “best quarterback in the league” accolade.
Overall, Darnold likely won’t dethrone Josh Allen in the race unless the Bills encounter a sudden downturn. The 2024 campaign truly feels like “Allen’s year” to win the award that eluded him in the last few seasons.
Moreover, a viral internet tweet circulated this week, mentioning that Darnold is actually younger than Joe Burrow.
The Packers are favored by 2.5 points to outduel the Vikings in Week 4.
Vikings outside linebacker Jonathan Greenard won the NFC’s Defensive Player of the Week for Week 3 on Wednesday.
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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