5 further factors: Given a second, Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold makes numbers add up

His statistics in opposition to the Packers diversified dramatically relying on stress. Additionally notable: Kevin O’Connell in shut video games, Aaron Jones on any-down-and-short and Brian Flores’ protection.

Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold enjoys a landing move to Jordan Addison within the third quarter Sunday. (Carlos Gonzalez/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Sam Darnold’s move safety began miserably with 5 pressures within the first eight dropbacks (62.5%) however tightened up with solely eight extra pressures in his closing 36 dropbacks (22.2%) of Sunday’s 27-25 victory over the Packers at U.S. Financial institution Stadium. “It simply felt like we settled in a little bit bit,” proper sort out Brian O’Neill stated of the offensive line. “That’s the way it felt after the primary two drives.” Darnold had two throwaways, together with one on third-and-3, because the Vikings opened with a punt and a missed 57-yard discipline purpose. When pressured, Darnold was 6-for-12 for 29 yards, an interception and a sack. When protected, he accomplished 27 of 31 passes for 348 yards and three touchdowns. On the Vikings’ three landing drives, Darnold was pressured simply twice whereas finishing 16 of 17 passes for 195 yards and three touchdowns. “He’s proving everyone fallacious,” stated working again Aaron Jones within the understatement of the yr.

Corridor of Famer Man Chamberlin received 4 NFL titles in six years teaching Canton, Frankford and the Cleveland Bulldogs from 1922-27. His .759 profitable share in one-score video games (22-7-7) has stood because the league file for 97 years. Kevin O’Connell has crept nearer at 26-9 (.743) and would move Man at the least briefly at .771 with one other one-score win at Detroit subsequent week. Give O’Connell credit score for placing the ball within the air on three of 4 performs whereas defending a two-point lead and needing Inexperienced Bay to burn its timeouts. “I’m going to remain aggressive,” O’Connell stated. The fast-hitting rollout move to Cam Akers on third-and-2 was the proper name out of a heavy run personnel that fooled the Packers. The execution wasn’t the best, however Akers corralled Darnold’s ugly lob simply earlier than it hit the bottom for a 6-yard achieve and the game-sealing first down. “You spend a lot time on the sport plans that a variety of occasions in these moments it’s simply discovering a play and attempting to teach the danger administration inside it,” stated the second-best — for now — one-score coach in NFL historical past.

Aaron Jones had solely 77 yards on 16 touches (4.8) earlier than sitting out the fourth quarter due to a quad damage. However the former Packer got here by way of on yet one more short-yardage conversion in a key second. His 4-yard catch on third-and-3 prolonged the opening drive of the third quarter, which ended with a landing and a 20-3 lead. Since Dec. 1, the eve of his thirtieth birthday, Jones has gotten the primary down on 9 of the 11 occasions he’s touched the ball with 1, 2 or 3 yards wanted to maneuver the chains. “I’m getting old like high-quality wine,” he stated. “I nonetheless acquired it.”

Josh Jacobs, the NFL’s fourth-leading rusher, ruined the Packers’ choice to take the ball after profitable the coin toss. Jerry Tillery got here from the bottom to strip Jacobs of the ball after a 7-yard achieve on his second contact. Jacobs completed the primary quarter with 31 yards on seven carries, together with a 7-yarder on third-and-3, however had solely 10 extra carries for 38 yards and a landing. He averaged solely 60 yards and 13 carries in his first two video games on this rivalry. “We acquired the ball from him early,” stated sort out Jonathan Bullard. “And we just about contained him.”

O’Connell is the betting favourite to win Coach of the 12 months. His defensive coordinator may be part of him as Assistant Coach of the 12 months. Sure, the Packers made an early blowout a two-point recreation, like they did at Lambeau Discipline in Week 4. However Jordan Love was terrible for 3 quarters, getting into the fourth quarter with 64 yards. When he was pressured on 13 of his dropbacks, Love accomplished 4 of eight passes for 46 yards and was sacked 3 times. When he wasn’t pressured, Love accomplished 15 of twenty-two passes for 139 yards and his solely landing. When the Packers had been down 20-3, Love’s common per try was 3.5 yards. The Packers got here in having scored at the least 30 factors in 5 consecutive video games, the longest present streak till it ended.