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Kevin Seifert, editor at ESPN
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ — The Minnesota Vikings had just completed their longest drive in 16 years — capped by two laser throws from quarterback Sam Darnold to receiver Justin Jefferson — at MetLife Stadium on Sunday afternoon when coach Kevin O’Connell shot Jefferson a knowing look.
“I saw Justin’s face after that drive,” O’Connell said, “and I think he had a pretty good feeling about whoever threw him the football.”
In his debut for the Vikings, Darnold had one of the best games of his career, completing his first 12 passes and finishing with 19 of 24 attempts for 208 yards and two touchdowns. Had it not been for an interception caused by a hit on the throw in the third quarter, his passer rating would have reached a career high of 130.6.
External uncertainties about Darnold’s suitability as a full-time starter are largely the reason the Vikings are considered favorites to finish last in the NFC North. But on this day at least, Darnold took advantage of the Vikings’ playmakers and avoided the mistakes that plagued him earlier in his career with the New York Jets and Carolina Panthers.
“The most important thing is to play with confidence,” Darnold said. “I think that’s the most important thing. We have a great offense. We have a great system. If I just play on time and do everything we need to do to execute, we’ll be fine.”
Jefferson has exhorted Darnold throughout training camp to be confident and trust not only his arm and his touch, but also Jefferson himself. The duo demonstrated their progress on a second-and-10 play from the Vikings’ 10-yard line midway through the second quarter. Despite two Giants defenders chasing Jefferson down the field, Darnold threw a long pass — one O’Connell called “remarkable” — toward the left sideline. The ball took Jefferson into open space, and he caught it for a 44-yard gain. It was the longest play of a 99-yard drive, the team’s longest since Week 13 of the 2008 season, and resulted in a 3-yard touchdown between the two on fourth down.
“That’s something we’re going to need all season,” Jefferson said. “So I’m giving him that confidence and strength to throw me the ball when I get doubled – because on that (44-yard) play, I got doubled. He threw the ball to one spot and I got it. That’s going to happen a lot of the time this season. He has to understand that even if I get doubled, I’m still free and I’m going to make that play.”
Vikings players and coaches were careful not to overstate Darnold’s performance, as he faced a defense that appeared inferior at several positions in the secondary. In theory, the Vikings’ Week 2 game against the San Francisco 49ers will provide a tougher test.
Darnold signed a one-year, $10 million deal in March to hold the position until whoever the Vikings drafted in April – Michigan’s JJ McCarthy, as it turned out, with the No. 10 pick – was ready to take over. McCarthy was on a roll in training camp when he suffered a season-ending ankle injury, likely ceding the position to Darnold for the entire season.
The bar was set low to exceed expectations, and at least on Sunday he achieved it.
“I don’t think anyone is surprised that Sam Darnold played like he did today,” O’Connell said. “I’m certainly not. I’ve tried to show as much as I can throughout training camp, and I’m just proud of him.”
