He certainly proved himself in London, leading the Minnesota Vikings to a 27-17 victory over the New York Jets, the same franchise that drafted him. The win was personal redemption for Darnold, traded by the New York Jets in 2021 after three disastrous seasons. How far he has traveled from New York could be gauged from his performance on Sunday.
Darnold threw for 280 yards and two touchdowns without an interception, as the Vikings concluded a strong 3-2 road season. Darnold seemed like a composed quarterback who was making sound decisions and setting the tempo against the strong Jets defense. His chemistry with star wide receiver Justin Jefferson was obvious: eight catches for 120 yards and a touchdown.
“It feels really good,” Darnold said after the game. “I have a huge respect for all my former teammates and coaches, but getting the win in this situation means a lot. It was a team effort.”
The Jets, at middle-of-the-pack 2-2 coming into the game, couldn’t stop Darnold and the balanced Viking attack. QB Zach Wilson threw for 240 yards with one touchdown, but New York’s offense, at the end, could not get anything going against Minnesota’s defense at key moments. The Jets also settled for field goals when they needed touchdowns in the red zone.
That’s frustrating, Wilson said after the game. We had chances to put up points and didn’t capitalize. We’ve got to be better, and that starts with me.
Darnold’s stay in New York was jerky and injury-plagued, but Minnesota has filled life into the quarterback. Since coming to the Vikings, he has steadied himself, ending the turnovers that proved such a big problem for him during his two years with the Jets. Composure and development marked the way he tore apart the old team’s defense with precise throws and well-timed scrambles.
The Viking’s win ensures that they are very much in the race in NFC North.
The Jets improved to 2-3 perhaps in the toughest division within the league, the AFC East.
How massive was Darnold’s revenge game against the Vikings in London to his career revival? Can he keep it going for weeks ahead?
