QB Sam Darnold is facing A lot in…

Quarterback Sam Darnold is facing intense pressure as he leads the Minnesota Vikings into the Wild Card Round against the Los Angeles Rams. After a dismal performance against the Detroit Lions, where he completed just 18 of 41 passes for 166 yards, Darnold’s confidence is being put to the test ¹.

The Lions’ defense, led by coordinator Aaron Glenn, brought significant pressure on Darnold, blitzing him on over half of his dropbacks and forcing him into rushed decisions and missed throws ². This performance has raised concerns about Darnold’s ability to perform under pressure in the playoffs.

Despite this setback, Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell remains confident in Darnold’s abilities, stating that his confidence level in getting Darnold back on track is “as high as it could be” ¹. O’Connell also noted that one bad game doesn’t define the team’s season, and they’re looking to bounce back against the Rams.

Darnold will face another tough test against the Rams’ defense, which has blitzed teams on 23.1% of plays this season ¹. However, with the support of his coach and teammates, Darnold is looking to redeem himself and lead the Vikings to a playoff victory.