Sam Darnold Among Vikings Slapped with Surprisingly Low PFF Grades in Week 4

The Minnesota Vikings are on fire with a 4-0 start, following a 31-29 win over Jordan Love and the Green Bay Packers in Week 4. This is the first time since 2016 that the Vikings have kicked off a season 4-0. It’s now very clear it’s not just by chance. They’ve been commanding in every game so far, proving themselves as a force to be reckoned with.

According to Pro Football Focus, and to no surprise a this point, the Vikings are ranked as one of the best teams in the league, and this week’s PFF grades are both eye-catching and intriguing.

Best/Worst Minnesota Vikings in week 4

This week’s PFF grades for the Vikings are pretty surprising. After being up by 28 points, nearly blowing the lead, and only winning by two, there were definitely some shaky moments. However, the biggest shock is that QB Sam Darnold received the lowest grade of any Vikings offensive player who took the field on Sunday.

Here’s a breakdown of the standout performers and those who struggled the most for the Minnesota Vikings in Week 4.

Week 4 PFF grades 

Linebacker Kamu Grugier-Hill topped the list for the Minnesota Vikings this week as the highest-graded player, with wide receiver Justin Jefferson close behind. Grugier-Hill’s standout moment came with a crucial interception that likely boosted his grade. Meanwhile, Jefferson delivered as usual, hauling in six catches for 85 yards and a touchdown.

Related: Minnesota Vikings Finally Favored in Week 5…?

Here are the lowest-graded Vikings from Week 4, and a few of them might surprise you.

Sure, it’s surprising to see Sam Darnold on this list. Perhaps even more so is Andrew Van Ginkel, who has started the year strong. Equally unexpected is Pat Jones, who ranks in the top 5 in the league for sacks. Jones even recorded one on Sunday despite receiving the third-lowest grade overall.

Sam Darnold had a strong performance, throwing for 275 yards and three touchdowns. Although he did have one interception, it didn’t overshadow his impact on the game. He really took control in the first half, delivering some impressive passes that helped the Vikings secure the win.

However, apparently PFF didn’t think he did so hot, which raises questions about how his performance is evaluated despite the favorable stats.

Related: What We Learned About the Minnesota Vikings in Near-Collapse Victory @ Packers

The rough second half likely contributed to some of these lower grades, but at the end of the day, the team is surely happy to walk away with the win and remain undefeated at 4-0. There’s always next week for a shot at better PFF grades