The Minnesota Vikings defeated the Tennessee Titans 23–13 on Sunday, improving their record to 8–2. Despite its 2-8 record, Tennessee’s defense hasn’t been the cause of its lackluster play. For Vikings bridge quarterback Darnold, that made performing well much more crucial.

The offense needed the 2018 first-round selection to step up against a far more difficult defense than the one he struggled against seven days prior after his dismal showing against the Jacksonville Jaguars in week 10.

Sam Darnold has a bounce-back game vs Titans

After struggling against the New York Jets in London last month, Darnold recovered and led the Vikings offense against the Titans on Sunday, completing 20/32 passes for 246 yards and two passing touchdowns, much to what we witnessed against the Detroit Lions in week seven.

In the second quarter, Darnold also added a rushing touchdown on a quarterback sneak. In addition to looking great when he threw the ball, Sam Darnold frequently extended plays by channeling his inner Fran Tarkenton. Darnold dodged pressure and hit receiver Trent Sherfield Jr. for a 16-yard pass on a third down to end the first quarter.

Darnold scurried for a six-yard gain on 3rd-and-7 later in the drive, evading pressure once more. The drive ended with the rushing touchdown described above, and the Vikings converted the subsequent 4th-and-short.
Darnold was able to escape bad plays thanks to his agility. With an 18.2 pressure-to-sack-rate (P2S%), he was fired twice in 11 total pressures, which matched for his third-best season total. The Vikings avoided third-and-long situations, which were a problem for the team during last month’s loss to the Rams.

PFF loved Darnold in week 11

No one outperformed quarterback Sam Darnold, according to Pro Football Focus (PFF). He was significantly better than any other player on the Vikings offense, recording a career-high 90.8 PFF grade (90.4 pass grade). With an offensive grade of 74.5, RT Brian O’Neill was the closest.