Vikings QB Sam Darnold Makes Week 11 “Hate List” and I’m Worried Too

Sam Darnold has been everything the Minnesota Vikings hoped for thus far this season. The 7-2 record is an amazing result. Unfortunately the roller coaster is currently on one of those insane drops that makes you lose your lunch. The Tennessee Titans are a bottom feeder, but that didn’t stop Matthew Berry from sounding the alarm.

Minnesota Vikings Sam Darnold could struggle on Sunday

A week ago Sam Darnold failed to put the ball in the end zone. He did have pretty good consistency when it came to finding Jacksonville Jaguars defenders though. The Vikings quarterback added three interceptions to his season total, and he now leads the league with ten on the season. Things aren’t going to get easier against the Titans, and NBC Sports’ Matthew Berry went as far to name him as a “hate” candidate for fantasy football purposes.

“I don’t know if the clock has struck midnight on Sam Darnold just yet, but I know that it’s getting dark a lot earlier now and Darnold has six turnovers in his last two games. Plus, Road Darnold has been a little rough all season, averaging 12.8 PPG outside of Minnesota, and this week he heads out on the road to take on a Tennessee team that has the league’s No. 1 pass defense, surrendering just 156 yards per game. This game also so happens to have the lowest Over/Under of the week at 39.5. Darnold is an easy Hate List honoree for me.”

Matthew Berry on Sam Darnold against the Titans (NBC Sports)

Daylight savings jokes aside, Berry comes correct. The Titans defense leads the league in yards allowed. Their 156.7 passing yards per game is the largest reason why. Kevin O’Connell can try to utilize Aaron Jones in order to open up the pass, but Darnold must make correct reads and positive decisions. It’s not a great spot for a guy that just threw the ball to the opposing team like he was doing them a favor.

Here are the 4 Sam Darnold INTs.

Judge for yourself. pic.twitter.com/1WrcCe5d2Y

— Hayden Winks (@HaydenWinks) November 12, 2024

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Justin Jefferson was held down by a two-high safety look in Jacksonville. You can bet that Tennessee is viewing that tape and looking to replicate the production. If they can take away Darnold’s top target, or force him into bad decisions again, it may be a long day. Darnold is my a byproduct of his environment than he is the creator of his own fortune. Going up against a stout defense does him no favors.

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The Titans are sizable underdogs against Minnesota because they are a bad team. They have gained steam in the betting markets though, and are now less than a touchdown underdog. That is because Minnesota has played a ton of tight games this season, and this is shaping up to be another one of those. The Vikings haven’t blown a team out since their win against the Texans. Darnold destroying a good defense seems like an odd time to believe they will do so again.

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Minnesota should feel confident about winning on Sunday, but it may require overcoming Sam Darnold’s deficiencies in order to do so.