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Minnesota Vikings' Sam Darnold Breaks Franchise Record In Win Over Atlanta Falcons

Former USC Trojan quarterback Sam Darnold broke a franchise record in the 42-21 victory over the Atlanta Falcons. Darnold has the most games with a 100 or better passer rating in a single season in Vikings history.

Kyron Samuels

Dec 8, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14) looks on after the game against the Atlanta Falcons at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Dec 8, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14) looks on after the game against the Atlanta Falcons at U.S. Bank Stadium. / Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
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The Minnesota Vikings improved to 11-2 on the season after an impressive 42-21 victory over the Atlanta Falcons. The game was back and forth until the fourth quarter, when the Vikings outscored Atlanta 21-0. Former USC Trojan quarterback Sam Darnold had one of the best games of his career and made franchise history in the process. 

Darnold now officially has the most games with a 100 or better passer rating in a single season in Minnesota Vikings history, and he’s accomplished that feat in only 13 games. So much of the conversation surrounding Darnold is about how much Minnesota coach Kevin O’Connell has revived his career. While that can’t be discredited, Darnold has also broken records this season. Darnold has been nails and makes all the throws while showing incredible toughness. 

"That was a lot of emotion for me. I was just excited, man. I feel like I couldn't just sit there stoic, straight-faced. I feel like I had to show a little bit of emotion for the fans. Gave them what they wanted," Darnold said when asked about his jumping on the bench to hype the home crowd. 

Darnold is playing the best football of his career. He is coming off of a three-game stretch where he didn’t throw an interception, led two game-winning drives, and helped lead the Vikings to a 10-win season despite playing a string of playoff-caliber teams. Darnold has been playing as well as any quarterback in the league the last month of the season, and there has been nothing flukey about it.

Darnold was 22/28 passing, 78.6 completion percentage, 347 passing yards, a career-high five passing touchdowns, zero interceptions, and a 157.9 passer rating. The Vikings are 11-2 and essentially locked into the NFC playoffs with a wildcard position at worst. They’re still hunting for the NFC North division crown, but the Detroit Lions would have to lose their remaining two division games. 

Sam Darnold, 13 weeks into the season, sits amongst the league’s very best statistically. Darnold has 3,299 passing yards, 28 passing touchdowns, 10 interceptions, and one rushing touchdown. Darnold is top three in the NFL in passing touchdowns, trailing only Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson and Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow. 

Per The Athletic’s reporter Aaron Gleeman, Sam Darnold became the first Vikings quarterback with 300 or more yards and five or more touchdowns since Vikings legend Daunte Culpepper in 2004. It’s been 20 years since a Vikings quarterback has had a performance as strong as what Darnold was able to produce today. 

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Kyron Samuels
KYRON SAMUELS

Kyron Samuels is a former college and professional football player now a writer, analyst, & digital host. Kyron is a writer for USC Trojans on SI and contributes to Oregon Ducks on SI. A graduate and letterman at Jacksonville State University, Samuels was a three-year starter, two-time all-conference, and won three consecutive conference titles. After a four-year professional stint between the AFL & XFL, Samuels retired from football. In 2022, Samuels was inducted into the Fairhope Athletic Hall of Fame. Post-playing career, Samuels has become a credentialed sports media member covering the NFL, UFL, USFL, & college football. The NFL Combine, Reese’s Senior Bowl, & East-West Shrine Bowl are amongst the events Kyron has covered. As a guest and host, Samuels has been featured on ESPNRadio, FoxSportsRadio, & IHeartRadio. Outside of sports media, Samuels works as a scouting consultant and has experience coaching at the collegiate level.

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