Sam Darnold's Wild Card minute was more like a ghost story. With the weight of the Minnesota Vikings' postseason on his shoulders, fans fasted to state it: “He's seeing ghosts.”
After an excellent season, Darnold was anticipated to shine. Under the playoff lights, his errors stacked up quicker than a scary motion picture plot twist.
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Darnold got a severe spotlight on him. The Vikings QB is lastly getting his very first postseason start, however it's including some major pressure. The group's Wild Card video game versus the Rams was a do-or-die. And fans are not keeping back.
One post summed it up: “Darnold seeing ghosts,” hinting that Darnold may be splitting under the weight.
Darnold seeing ghosts
— cdawg (@cdawg06701381) January 14, 2025
Darnold's been on fire all year, tossing for 4,319 backyards, 35 TDs, and a strong 102.5 passer ranking. When the lights get brilliant, can he provide? One fan is currently calling it: “He's seeing ghosts once again. If he stops working on this opening series, yes their season is on the line.” That's how quick things can kip down the NFL.
He's seeing ghosts once again. If he stops working on this opening series, yes their season is on the line
— Maximus Dave (@Canadave21) January 14, 2025
Not everybody's striking the panic button. Some fans believe it's everything about chemistry. “No, that would be silly. He got you there, he has chemistry with the WR. You play through it,” they stated, protecting Darnold's capability to get better.
Then, of course, there's the pessimism one fan broke: “He turned into a pumpkin last week and is still a pumpkin today.”
Darnold's got a strong team behind him, and head coach Kevin O'Connell has actually applauded his management. This is crunch time. After his Wild Card loss, the next couple of months might either be the start of something substantial with a brand-new offer or simply another what-could-have-been story for Darnold in Minnesota.
One Stat Puts Darnold's First Half Against the Rams in Perspective
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14) heats up before the video game in between Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025.
© Junfu Han/ USA TODAY NETWORK by means of Imagn Images
The Vikings' Wild Card face-off with the Rams was a mess, however Darnold's first-half efficiency? Outright catastrophe. One fact summed it up completely.
Dan Pizzuta from “The 33rd Team” dropped a bombshell on Bluesky: Darnold ranks dead last in Expected Points Added (EPA) per play amongst 557 playoff efficiencies. For a guy who had MVP buzz previously this season,
