Sam Darnold has career day, lifts Vikings over Cousins and Falcons 42-21
On a day his predecessor returned to U.S. Bank Stadium with a new team, Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold not only outdueled Kirk Cousins but turned in a career day to lift Minnesota past the Atlanta Falcons, 42-21.
Darnold connected with Jordan Addison on three touchdowns and Justin Jefferson on two others. It was not only Addison's first three-score day but also Darnold's first NFL game with five touchdown passes — and the first by a Viking since Daunte Culpepper in 2004.
The defenses got some stops in the first half but the game turned into a shootout in the final 30 minutes.
The Vikings marched down the field to open the half, only to have to settle for a field goal, which Will Reichard hit off the left upright to keep it a 14-10 game. Atlanta did the same but converted its field goal attempt to make it a one-point game.
Darnold and the Vikings offense went back to work and quickly answered, with Darnold escaping pressure on third down and finding Jefferson for the second time, a ridiculous play that put Minnesota back up by eight.
Once again, Cousins and the Falcons responded, going 70 yards in five plays for a score and converting on the two-point conversion to tie the game.
How did the Vikings respond? A 70-play touchdown drive of their own, capped off by Darnold’s second touchdown pass of the day to Jordan Addison.
But before Cousins and the Falcons could get a chance, Brian Asamoah forced Atlanta’s return man to fumble on the kickoff and Theo Jackson pounced on it to give it right back to Darnold. The Vikings then drained 4:30 off the clock before Darnold found Addison for their third touchdown connection of the day.
Then Minnesota's defense resurfaced, snatching their second interception of the game from Cousins. It was Byron Murphy's career-best sixth pick of the year, which allowed Darnold and the Vikings to drain the clock further and seal the win on Aaron Jones' 15-yard touchdown run.
Darnold finished 22-of-28 for 347 yards and 5 touchdowns. Cousins went 23-of-37 for 344 yards and 2 interceptions. Addison ended up with 8 catches for 133 yards and 3 touchdowns while Jefferson had 7 catches for 132 yards and 2 scores. Jones had 73 yards and a score on 13 carries.
Next up, the Vikings will host Chicago on "Monday Night Football."
Dec 8, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14) celebrates his touchdown pass to wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) against the Atlanta Falcons during the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
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