The Vikings’ Sam Darnold paced the Rams in a postseason feat not seen in 25 years
During their Wild Card matchup against the Los Angeles Rams, Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold reached an all time low not seen for over two decades, according to Sheil Kapadia on Ks.
“Sam Darnold’s six sacks are the most by any QB in the first half of the playoffs in the last 25 years,” Kapadia wrote.
Not only did the Vikings struggle against the Rams on Monday night, but Sean McVay’s defense — specifically, rookie Jared Verse — was lights out against Darnold.
In the first half of this game, Darnold was sacked six times, a feat not accomplished since the turn of the century.
The last person to suffer a similar loss in the playoffs is Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Barrow.
In the 2021 playoffs, when the Bengals faced the Tennessee Titans in the divisional round, Burrow was sacked a total of nine timeswith five in the first half.
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After Darnold faced his sixth sack in the first half, the Vikings quarterback surpassed Burrow, standing alone among quarterbacks since 2000 to suffer such a low in the postseason.
Now, at least for Burrow, he was able to lead the Bengals’ playoff run, coming away with a narrow 19-16 victory.
However, it looks like Darnold and the Vikings won’t be as successful Wild Card Weekend as Barrow and the Bengals were in 2021.
After six sacks in the first half, Darnold continued to face pressure as he was sacked a career-high nine times. With the Rams defense suffocating Darnold, the Vikings fell relatively easily against the Rams on Monday night.
And barring a fourth-quarter miracle for the Vikings, Darnold’s historically poor playoff performance won’t be matched by a heroic loss to the Rams. Instead, his frustrating night appears to be paired with a first-round exit, something Minnesota fans are used to.
2025-01-14 04:09:00
