Sam Darnold’s renaissance pushed Minnesota to one of the NFL’s best records, offering the hope of a deep playoff run. A disappointing night in the desert rammed Darnold and the Vikings right out of the postseason.
The Los Angeles Rams beat the Minnesota Vikings — sacking Sam Darnold a NFL playoff record-tying nine times — to win 27-9 Monday night in an NFC wild-card game.
It’s Week 18 of the NFL season, which means just one game remains before postseason action begins. In the NFC, a crucial game awaits when the Minnesota Vikings travel to face the Detroit Lions on Sunday in a game that will decide the division winner, the No. 1 seed in the conference and home-field advantage until the Super Bowl.
Sam Darnold added another exploit to his career-altering season, passing for a personal-best 377 yards and three touchdowns as the Minnesota Vikings hung on to beat the Green Bay Packers 27-25 for their ninth consecutive victory. The Vikings are 14-2.
Business owners in Stillwater and Hudson, Wis., organized the friendly competition ahead of the NFL game between the Vikings and Packers at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Wisconsin side won 3-2 over Minnesota.
Dubbed the “Border Battle,” the event will start at 9 a.m., about six hours before the two NFL teams face off at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. The location will be literally on the border: the Stillwater Lift Bridge, which spans the St. Croix River between Minnesota and Wisconsin.
The Minnesota Vikings have obliterated even the most optimistic of external predictions for this transitional season with a 13-2 record entering their matchup against the Green Bay Packers that has made Kevin O’Connell the current favorite for the NFL Coach of the Year award.
Sam Darnold connected with a well-covered Justin Jefferson with 3:51 left for his third TD pass of the game, and the Minnesota Vikings outlasted Geno Smith and the Seattle Seahawks 27-24 to keep pace with Detroit for the top spot in the NFC.
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