Another no-call on a hit to Sam Darnold’s head costs the Vikings

That's two games in a row where officials haven't flagged a hit to Darnold's head.

Nov 3, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14) throws a pass against the Indianapolis Colts during the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. / Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

For the second straight game, a hit to Sam Darnold's head resulted in a no-call by the officials that hurt the Vikings.

Two Thursdays ago, the Vikings' loss to the Rams was sealed when officials missed a blatant facemask penalty as a Los Angeles defender spun Darnold's head around and threw him to the ground for a safety. It happened again on Sunday night, even if it wasn't as glaringly obvious as the last one.

Early in the second quarter, Colts defensive tackle Grover Stewart steamrolled center Garrett Bradbury and got into the backfield. He appeared to make contact to the head of Darnold as he threw him down. Darnold lost the ball on the play and it was scooped up by Kenny Moore II, who darted to the end zone for a defensive touchdown.

A referee initially threw a flag on the play but picked it up after a discussion with the crew.

Fumble six! Grover Stewart forced the ball out and Kenny Moore II scoops it up and scores for the @Colts!

📺: #INDvsMIN on NBC/Peacock
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/PSgU0G9Px1

— NFL (@NFL) November 4, 2024

You be the judge: pic.twitter.com/S3V8WarWMH

— VikingzFanPage (@vikingzfanpage) November 4, 2024

Again, it's not a 100 percent clear-cut penalty like the one in the Rams game, but NBC officiating analyst Terry McAulay said on the Sunday Night Football broadcast that he thought it should've been a penalty for roughing the passer.

Terry McAulay felt the Colts might have gotten away with a penalty.

"That's a pretty big blow to the head from the forearm, hand/wrist of the tackler...If they would have called that, left the flag down, that's certainly supportable as a foul for unnecessary roughness." pic.twitter.com/0k5MlFgFgB

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) November 4, 2024

Others on social media did too.

The refs do not respect Sam Darnold's face

— Big Cat (@BarstoolBigCat) November 4, 2024

Sam Darnold can’t catch a break… pic.twitter.com/0vdPJAWB0u

— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) November 4, 2024

Darnold gets hosed two weeks in a row.

— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) November 4, 2024

What did Darnold do to the refs? Last week the facemask and now getting a forearm to the face and no calls for him

— Mitchell Schwartz (@MitchSchwartz71) November 4, 2024

Kevin O'Connell was clearly displeased with the refs picking up the flag, as he had an animated discussion with an official after the play.

The Vikings trail the Colts 7-0 at halftime.