The 6-2 Minnesota Vikings will take on the 2-7 Jacksonville Jaguars at noon on Sunday for their Week 10 game. After starting the season 5-0, Minnesota lost two games in a row before defeating the Indianapolis Colts 21-13 last weekend. That game was the first of three consecutive games that they play against AFC South opponents, specifically the three teams in that division that do not have winning records.
The Vikings currently sit at second place in the NFC North, a development that few predicted prior to the 2024 NFL season. After losing four-time Pro Bowl quarterback Kirk Cousins in free agency, many believed that it would take a couple of years for the Vikings to rebuild their team.
The Minnesota Vikings Have Had Success with Sam Darnold at Quarterback
To replace Cousins, Minnesota signed former third-overall pick Sam Darnold, who served as Brock Purdy‘s backup quarterback on the San Francisco 49ers last year. Prior to being the backup on the NFC Championship team, Darnold spent three years as the starting quarterback of the New York Jets and two seasons with the Carolina Panters.
As fans may recall, Darnold struggled in his first few seasons in the NFL. After being named the Jets’ starter as a rookie, he completed just 59.8% of his passes for 8,097 yards, 45 touchdowns, 39 interceptions, and a 78.6 passer rating in his first three seasons.
He was not much better in Carolina, completing 59.5% of his passes for 3,670 yards, 16 touchdowns, 16 interceptions, and a 77.3 passer rating.
These numbers as a starting quarterback did little to give Vikings fans hope that they would be competitive with Darnold under center. However, they have been one of the biggest surprises in the NFL.
So far this year, the former first-round pick has a 69.5% completion percentage, 1,900 passing yards, 17 touchdowns, seven interceptions, and a 107.8 passer rating.
Minnesota Vikings Fans Drag Jaguars Head Coach Doug Pederson for Saying Justin Jefferson Is the Reason for Sam Darnold’s Improvement
Darnold’s improvement has been one of the best feel-good stories in the NFL this season. As mentioned, the Vikings will face the Jaguars this weekend as they look to keep their hold on second place in the NFC north.
On Thursday, Jacksonville head coach Doug Pederson was asked what he thought was the reason for the one-time journeyman’s improvement this year. His answer: “Justin Jefferson.”
Jaguars HC Doug Pederson was asked how #Vikings QB Sam Darnold has turned it around this year:
“Justin Jefferson.” 😳
Extremely disrespectful.pic.twitter.com/xoeYBXUMjF
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) November 7, 2024
It should be noted, though, that Pederson was obviously joking. He went on to say that “The talent around him certainly helps… but look, he’s always been a solid quarterback.
“I think now he’s learning, he’s maturing, and showing that he’s capable of doing it.”
It was Pederson’s initial joke about Jefferson, though, that had fans up in arms:
Wondering who will be the next team to hire Doug https://t.co/XvJla1NXET
— Isom Philips (@IsomPhilips) November 8, 2024
I’ll take the Vikings and the points because the boy just dug his own grave https://t.co/mF4V6ZPCcw
— Jason Lincoln (@VinoFiIipino) November 7, 2024
Mhm hope Darnold goes nuclear https://t.co/qisxX0NhNL
— JD (@JdParker12) November 8, 2024
I have had reservations about Darnold, but if a QB does not know his fundamentals(reads, accuracy, etc), he will be terrible no matter who the WRs are on the field. D Hop would have something to say about this. https://t.co/3eZ9Jipto0
— Honest Brotha (@TheImperfectLeo) November 7, 2024
Just FIRE HIM ALREADY!!!! https://t.co/rS5XuEL0fU
— Officially Unk (@ijustbelaughin) November 7, 2024
It is apparent that these commenters did not watch the whole video because Pederson, as referenced, does give Darnold a great deal of credit for his own improvement.
That being said, having the best wide receiver in the game certainly has not hurt.
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