The Los Angeles Rams beat the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC wild-card round on Monday night, 27-9. A nightmare first half turned into an all-around ugly performance by Sam Darnold and the Vikings offense.
Eight days after they were playing the Detroit Lions with a shot at the No. 1 seed in the conference, the Vikings were eliminated from the playoffs. Darnold finished with 245 passing yards, one touchdown and one interception. He completed 25-of-39 pass attempts and was sacked nine times for a record amount of yards lost.
ESPN announcers Joe Buck and Troy Aikman criticized the Vikings' for a lack of urgency throughout the fourth quarter and also touched on Darnold's contract situation, which Aikman said is "a different conversation today than it was two weeks ago."
Troy Aikman and Joe Buck on Sam Darnold/Vikings QB situation.
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) January 14, 2025
"That conversation's a different conversation today than it was 2 weeks ago."
"Not to be simplistic...But the way the Vikings have played over the last couple of weeks. He's at least cost himself some money." pic.twitter.com/MnWi4d446J
"And not to be simplistic about it," said Buck, "but with the way the Vikings have played and Sam Darnold has played over the last couple of weeks, he's at least cost himself some money."
Aikman agreed, saying, "No doubt."
Darnold, who put up career best numbers across the board and finished fifth in the NFL in passing yards and touchdown passes this season, is going to be a free agent this offseason.
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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Joe Buck, Troy Aikman Speculate Sam Darnold ‘Cost Himself Money’ With Vikings' Losses.
