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Imperfect Sam Darnold Leads Minnesota Vikings To Win Over Tennessee Titans Win

In a decisive 23-13 victory over the Tennessee Titans, former USC Trojans quarterback Sam Darnold scored three touchdowns, and the Minnesota Vikings improve to 8-2. Darnold has 20 or more touchdowns for just the second time in his career.

Kyron Samuels

Nov 17, 2024; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14) smiles as he leaves the field against the Tennessee Titans during the second half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
Nov 17, 2024; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14) smiles as he leaves the field against the Tennessee Titans during the second half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images / Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
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Former USC Trojans quarterback Sam Darnold and the Minnesota Vikings improved to 8-2 with a decisive 23-13 road-game victory over the Tennessee Titans. After a humbling three-interception performance against the Jacksonville Jaguars the week prior, Darnold responded by having one of his best showings of the season in a game the Vikings needed to stack insurance as the playoff hunt intensifies. 

Darnold was excellent, going 20 of 32 passing for 246 passing yards and two passing touchdowns. The former USC Trojan added 18 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown as well, his first of the season on the ground. Darnold reached 20 total touchdowns on the season during this game for the first time since the 2019 season when he totaled 21 with the New York Jets.

"As an offense, when we do our thing and we don't turn the ball over, we're a good group. We just have to continue to do that throughout the season," Darnold said in the CBS postgame interview on the field. 

Darnold entered the game tied for fourth in the NFL with 17 passing touchdowns. Despite leading the league in turnovers, Darnold is also one of the most prominent scorers in the league. Most of the sack strips and fumbled exchanges that are accredited to Darnold haven’t necessarily been his fault, but the interceptions have been poor decisions. 

Darnold didn’t throw an interception for the first time since Oct. 24 against the Los Angeles Rams. He has talked about making a concerted effort to protect the ball, as he knows the future of this seemingly playoff-bound team depends on his ability to make timely decisions. It might sound funny to say, but the Vikings are going to go as far as Sam Darnold takes them. 

“When we do what we do, and we don’t turn the ball over, and we’re efficient on offense, and convert some crucial third downs, we’re a tough group to stop. I feel like we started a little slow in the second half, so we just have to watch it and keep growing,” Darnold added. 

He’s earned the right to have the trust of his teammates and Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell. For the obvious pitfalls, there’s not a player that’s top four in the NFL in touchdown passes due to scheme or supporting cast alone. As long as Darnold is operating close to the level he has been, the Vikings are to be taken seriously. 

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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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