Sam Darnold looking absolutely clueless against the Rams in Wild Card Game sparks wild reactions from fans – “The Dakformation”

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold couldn't deliver against Sean McVay's Los Angeles Rams and lost the wild card round.

Sam Darnold looking absolutely clueless against the Rams in Wild Card Game sparks wild reactions from fans – “The Dakformation”

Sam Darnold (Image via IMAGO)

Sam Darnold disappeared when the Minnesota Vikings needed him the most. Despite ending the season with a stellar 14-3 record they finished behind divisional rivals, the Detroit Lions, after losing against them on the final day of the regular season.

Dan Campbell’s team laid out the blueprint for other teams to follow. Defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn blitzed Darnold whenever they had the chance. Even though he was sacked only twice, the pressure forced him to release the ball quickly, resulting in wayward passes. He barely touched the 13% pass completion mark all game.

YouTube video

Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay did his homework. He and DC Chris Shula applied a similar method to hunt down Darnold on Monday night in Arizona. The first-time Pro Bowler digested 6 sacks in the first half alone and 9 in total, fumbled the ball once and lost 82 yards. He completed 25 of his passes from 40 attempts for 245 yards (62.5%), one touchdown, and one interception (pick six).

FS Video

The Rams ran out 9-27 winners to advance to the next stage. Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford whose family was in attendance for the game, completed 19 passes from 27 attempts for 209 yards and 2 touchdowns.

RELATED
Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill bizarrely calls Vikings-Rams ticket demand “Taylor Swift-like” 
Taylor Swift and Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill

Fans accuse Sam Darnold of choking in big games

Darnold’s revival has been a delight to watch until the last few games. Before the wild card fixture, the Vikings’ only convincing victory was against the Chicago Bears which they won by a three-score margin. Since then, both wins over the Seattle Seahawks and the Green Bay Packers were one-score victories before losing to the Lions and eventually to the Rams.

Sam Darnold looking absolutely clueless against the Rams in Wild Card Game sparks wild reactions from fans - "The Dakformation"
Sam Darnold (Image via IMAGO)

Sam Darnold’s Achilles heel has been his movement. According to StatMuse, he is the fourth most sacked player with 48, behind Caleb Williams, CJ Stroud, and Geno Smith. Good teams always take advantage of any weakness and the Rams did not give him an inch.

The once-considered favorite for the NFL MVP choked in the game that mattered the most.

The Lions and the Rams fixtures proved that if the Vikings decide to stick with Darnold for the 2025 season, they must work on him more to improve his movement and special awareness; otherwise, he will be just another great regular-season quarterback who can’t deliver in the postseason like Philip Rivers, Andrew Luck, Dak Prescott, and many more.

RELATED
Hailee Steinfeld, with Bills WAGs, dolls up to support Josh Allen in playoffs amid his MVP pursuit 
Hailee Steinfeld dolls up to support Josh Allen

Otherwise, his numbers have been on par with the best—he completed 361 passes for 4319 passing yards, 35 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions.

Related: Top 10 Richest NFL Players of all-time

​