Sam Darnold Stat Line Gets Huge Boost From Falcons’ DB’s Consistency Losing Receivers

Stephen Douglas | Dec 8, 2024

Jordan Addison catches a ball after a defender dives nowhere near him. / @NFL

The Minnesota Vikings beat the Atlanta Falcons 42-21 in Week 14. Kirk Cousins threw two interceptions and zero touchdown passes in his return to Minnesota while Sam Darnold, the quarterback who replaced him after six seasons with the Vikings, was nearly flawless.

Darnold completed 22 of 28 passes for 347 yards and threw five touchdown passes. Jordan Addison caught three of those and Justin Jefferson caught the other two as the teammates staked their claim as the best receiving duo in the NFL.

Of course they were helped by a hapless Falcons' defense that had trouble staying anywhere near them throughout the game. On two separate occasions Darnold hooked up with one of his recievers for a long touchdown pass where at least one Falcons' defender got completely lost.

Late in the first quarter Darnold badly underthrew Jordan Addison, who had to changed direction and wait for the ball. When he stopped the defender flew right by him.

What an adjustment by Jordan Addison for a 49-yard score 🙌

📺: #ATLvsMIN on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/m81sZxmY9x

— NFL (@NFL) December 8, 2024

Then in the third quarter Darnold threw a long pass to Jefferson where a defensive back bit on a fake, ran the wrong way and fell down as he turned back towards a wide open Jefferson. JJ caught the ball and ran into the end zone.

DARNOLD JETTAS 52-YARD TD 🚨

📺: #ATLvsMIN on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/ZywUjIuoD4

— NFL (@NFL) December 8, 2024

Here's what happened.

the hand up for eternity. the fall. I'm dying. pic.twitter.com/GbRTi7Htxq

— Nate Tice (@Nate_Tice) December 8, 2024

Just a brutal couple plays—although the Falcons defense didn’t look much better on most of Darnold's other passes either.

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