Sam Darnold has thrown for 4,153 yards and 35 touchdowns in 2024. But he’s also moving the Minnesota Vikings offense down the field even when he isn’t completing passes. And he’s doing it at a historic rate.
According to Aaron Schatz of FTN Fantasy, Darnold has gained 328 penalty yards on 15 defensive pass interference flags this year. That is the sixth-highest yardage total on such calls in league history. This averages out to 21.87 yards per penalty.
It’s noteworthy heading into Sunday’s game against the Detroit Lions. Only the New York Jets (279) have been penalized for more yards due to defensive pass interference than the Lions (272). This further hurts a pass defense that has struggled when they aren’t committing penalties, giving up an average of 367.67 yards in the past three games.
There’s more, too. Referee Brad Rogers will be officiating Sunday’s game, and no crew calls more defensive pass interference penalties than his (1.71 per game).
Kevin O’Connell will be sure to test Rogers’ crew and the Lions on Sunday. Darnold could add to his historic numbers with Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison attacking the secondary.
