The Minnesota Vikings had a disappointing end to the season. After losing to the Detroit Lions in Week 18, they missed out on clinching the NFC North title and the No. 1 seed. Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold played arguably his worst game of the season against the Lions (his grade of 63.5 was his worst of the season according to PFN’s QB+ metric).
In Monday’s Wild Card Round game, the Vikings will be on the road against the Los Angeles Rams. The former first-round pick will have to improve his game if the Vikings want a deep run in the playoffs.
Has Sam Darnold Ever Played in an NFL Playoff Game?
Darnold had a great season aside from the final game against the Lions in the season finale. The 27-year-old made it to the Pro Bowl for the first time in his career. Now, Darnold will suit up for his first-ever playoff game in the NFL when the Vikings meet the Rams on Monday.
The New York Jets picked Darnold No. 3 overall in the 2018 NFL Draft. Although Darnold threw for 2,865 yards, 17 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions, the Jets finished last in the AFC East with a 4-12 record in his rookie season.
New York improved its record to 7-9 in 2019 but still missed out on a playoff birth. The California native had 3,024 passing yards, 19 passing TDs, 13 interceptions, and two rushing TDs.
In 2020, the Jets played one of their worst seasons, finishing with a 2-14 record. Darnold finished with 2,208 passing yards, nine TDs, 11 interceptions, 217 rushing yards, and two rushing TDs.
Darnold moved on to the Carolina Panthers in 2021, but his fate didn’t change. Darnold had 2,527 passing yards, nine passing TDs, and 13 interceptions, along with 48 carries for 222 rushing yards and five rushing TDs. Carolina finished with a 5-12 record.
Baker Mayfield replaced Darnold as their primary QB during the 2022 NFL season. The Panthers narrowly missed out on the NFC South title with a 7-10 record. Only the Tampa Bay Buccaneers managed eight wins in the NFC South, as the New Orleans Saints and the Atlanta Falcons also finished with a 7-10 record.
Darnold had 1,143 passing yards, seven passing TDs, three interceptions, and 26 carries for 106 rushing yards and two TDs that season.
The next year, Darnold joined the San Francisco 49ers. Even though Brock Purdy and his squad made it to the Super Bowl, Darnold didn’t appear in the postseason. He only started in one regular season game when the Niners decided to rest Purdy.
But it’ll be a whole different story this season. Darnold is set to suit up for the Wild Card Round on Monday, Jan. 13 as they play the Rams in Glendale, Ariz. (relocated due to the wildfires in Los Angeles).