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Peter Schrager
NFL Insider & NFL Reporter
Every week, FOX Sports NFL Insider Peter Schrager opens his notebook and opines on three of the biggest storylines around the league. Here are his takes heading into Week 10, including what to make of Sam Darnold’s season with the Minnesota Vikings thus far.
The Sam Darnold Experience in full
You could hear the “I told you so’s” coming from New Jersey, Charlotte and even parts of cities Sam Darnold had never played football in. Thirty minutes into Sunday night’s Vikings game against the Colts, Sam Darnold looked like the ghost (no pun intended) of Sam Darnold. A careless red zone interception, confusion at the line of scrimmage and perplexing decision-making through the first two quarters — the Vikings quarterback had seemingly reverted into whatever the worst version of himself was from his previous stops. Two interceptions and a fumble — the last one, a backbreaker that led to an Indianapolis scoop and score — was the stuff that’s plagued Darnold his entire career. It’s what made him expendable in New York and what left the door open for Baker Mayfield in Carolina.
But, then, the QB emerged from the locker room and was suddenly the guy that he was the first five weeks of the season; not the first five years of his career. Three touchdown passes, mastery of the position, and a command of the Vikings offense that is as good as any when he’s cooking — the Darnold from September was back.
I’m not a stats guy. I’m not. I shudder when I see ex-jocks on TV reading stats and names and numbers off a card. It feels like a crutch. I like the story; I like the flow of the game and the personalities that play and coach it. But Darnold’s numbers, across the board, are among the tops in the league. He’s sixth in TD passes (17), 11th in pass yards per game (237.5), and tied for fourth with Josh Allen in passes 20+ yards downfield (30).
And the Vikings, after a two-game skid…
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Publish date : 2024-11-05 16:45:10
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