After spending the 2023 season as a backup with the San Francisco 49ers, Sam Darnold decided to take his talents to the NFC North and sign a one-year contract with the Minnesota Vikings this past offeseason.
On Sunday, Darnold got to prove to his old team that he still has the talent to be a starting quarterback in the NFL as he helped lead the Vikings to an impressive 23-17 win over the 49ers.
In the victory, Darnold completed 65 percent of his passes for 268 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. His performance not only helped Minnesota defeat a tough 49ers team on Sunday, but the Vikings are now 2-0 to begin a season for the first time since 2016.
Minnesota Vikings and Sam Darnold beat San Francisco 49ers, but at what cost?
Despite the big win over the defending NFC champions this week, Minnesota also lost star wide receiver Justin Jefferson to a quad injury midway through the contest.
Jefferson was able to walk back to the locker room on his own, and after the matchup Vikings head coach revealed that the wide receiver is day-to-day with a quad contusion. It will certainly be something to keep an eye on during the next few days as Minnesota gets ready for their Week 3 game against the Houston Texans.
Minnesota was already without Jordan Addison on Sunday, and if Jefferson and Addison are both out next week, it's going to be difficult for the Vikings to improve their record to 2-0.
But back to what happened this weekend against the 49ers, because the guys who didn't get injured on the field for Minnesota certainly deserve a ton of praise.
This victory for the Vikings was the exact definition of a team win.
Minnesota's special teams came up big with a blocked punt in the first quarter and kicker Will Reichard making all five of his kicks (three field goals and two extra points). Then, on the defensive side of the ball, the Vikings generated six sacks, forced two turnovers, and held San Francisco's offense to just 2-of-10 on third downs.
The performance from all three units came together, and Minnesota is now 2-0 to begin a season for the first time with O'Connell as its head coach.
So far, so good from a Vikings team that many in the national media predicted would be one of the worst in the NFL this year.