JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Kevin O’Connell pounced Sunday afternoon before anyone had a chance to ask. After watching quarterback Sam Darnold throw three interceptions in an ugly 12-7 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Vikings coach said, “We’re still 100% confident in Sam. It would be craziness not to be.”
Darnold has started all nine of the Vikings’ games this season, helping them to a 7-2 record with what in many ways is the best season of his career. But he also led the NFL with 13 turnovers as of Sunday evening, and two of his interceptions against the Jaguars occurred in the end zone. Were it not for four field goals from kicker Parker Romo in his NFL debut, and a trio of fourth-quarter takeaways from the Vikings’ defense, Darnold’s performance would have been far more impactful.
As it was, the Vikings became only the fifth team in NFL history to win a game in which they committed at least three turnovers and failed to score a touchdown, per Pro Football Reference’s historical database. But those circumstances never led O’Connell to question Darnold, and the coach shook his head vigorously when asked if there was a moment during the game that he considered using backup quarterback Nick Mullens.
“Not one,” he said. “Not one all day long. In fact, I was looking at it as a great opportunity to see growth and continue to move the team. We’re going to check back on this moment and use it the right way, and Sam is going to be better off for it. I truly do believe that.”
O’Connell offered a more succinct version of that message to players and coaches in the locker room. According to a video the Vikings posted on social media, O’Connell looked at Darnold and said: “Sam, everybody in this locker room knows you are the f—ing guy that’s going to take us there.”
All three of Darnold’s interceptions Sunday came on balls intended for receiver Justin Jefferson, who was largely blanketed by a shell defense that made clear the Jaguars were not going to let him have a big game. That approach opened up lanes for the Vikings’ running game, which produced season-highs in yards (169) and carries (43), as well as for tight ends T.J. Hockenson and Josh Oliver, who combined for 12 receptions.
“In those moments when they’re playing shell coverage,” Darnold said, “or they’re playing whatever type of shell-man they want to play. I’ve just got to continue to stay patient and take what they give me.”
“I’ve got to do a lot better job taking care of the football. I think that’s obvious. Just being situationally aware of where we are at on the field, first and second down, just being able to put the ball in play and let our guys go run with it. I thought I should have done a lot better job of that today, but we’ll just look at the tape and learn from it that way.”
Running back Aaron Jones was among the players who expressed support for Darnold as well.
“He knew we were behind him no matter what,” Jones said. “He may have games like this, but that’s not indicative of who he is.”