NFL Expert Thinks Sam Darnold Can Carry Vikings to the Playoffs

By Andrew Buller-Russ |

Updated: Sep 12, 2024

Sam Darnold, Vikings — Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

When franchise savior J.J. McCarthy went down with a season-ending knee injury, many thought the Minnesota Vikings were doomed in 2024. After Sam Darnold led a convincing 28-6 Week 1 win over the lowly Giants, the vibes are a bit different in the Land of 10,000 Lakes.

While Darnold isn’t a long-term franchise solution, many NFL observers were impressed with the former No. 3 overall pick. Now on his fourth NFL team, the 27-year-old is finally in a position to succeed, and one analyst thinks that’s exactly what the former first-round pick is poised to do.

How good is Sam Darnold? Good enough to get Vikings to the playoffs

After Sam Darnold had a near-flawless debut, completing 79.2% of his passes for 208 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception, many are wondering just how good this quarterback really is. According to Pro Football Focus, Darnold was the second-best quarterback in Week 1, earning an elite 88.1 grade. Only the Vikings’ Week 2 opponent, Brock Purdy, did better at 89.6.

But it’s not just Vikings fans and advanced analytics websites that are high on Darnold. Former NFL quarterbacks turned NFL analysts are too.

Recently, it was Dan Orlovsky, who’s been quite vocal about his Darnold man-crush this season. The former Lions QB has “very high” expectations for the Vikings. He doesn’t just think Darnold is doing a good job, he thinks the Vikings can be a playoff team with their new quarterback.

“I think their defense is going to be much-improved under Brian Flores if they can get some good cornerback play. I think Sam’s journey of going to San Francisco last year and really learning how important the efficience of his lower body is and the timing. He’s super, super, super talented. He’s always been super talented, he’s just been in dog-crap situations.

Minnesota’s got a good offensive line. They’ve got one of the best gamecallers in the NFL. They got two really good receivers, one guy being one of the best in the NFL. I think they got a dynamic back. Hockenson’s gonna come off injury. I absolutely think that Sam Darnold is good enough to have the Vikings as a playoff football team.”
Dan Orlovsky on Sam Darnold

.@danorlovsky7 has "very high" hopes for the Vikings with Sam Darnold at QB1 👀

"I absolutely think that Sam Darnold is good enough to have the Vikings as a playoff football team." pic.twitter.com/dnqBcFlkvh
— First Take (@FirstTake) September 12, 2024

If the Vikings can find a way to move to 2-0 with an upset win over the 49ers on Sunday, their odds of reaching the playoffs will skyrocket. Prior to Minnesota’s Week 1 win, The Athletic’s projections gave the Vikings just a 17% chance to reach the postseason.

After the win? The Vikings’ chances jumped up to 39%. Now, imagine how high they’ll go if Kevin O’Connell can get a win over last season’s NFC Super Bowl representative. Seriously, if Darnold can beat the 49ers, then the sky is the limit.