Quarterback Sam Darnold faces a significant challenge as he prepares to lead the Seattle Seahawks against his former team, the Minnesota Vikings, on November 26, 2023. The Seahawks, boasting an 8-3 record, will host the struggling Vikings, who sit at 4-7. Brian Flores, the current defensive coordinator for Minnesota, issued a warning to Darnold, emphasizing the intensity he can expect at Lumen Field this Sunday.
Reflecting on Darnold’s time with the Vikings, Flores acknowledged the quarterback’s growth. “Sam’s one of my favorites,” he remarked, according to Andrew Krammer of The Minnesota Star Tribune. “He’d grown tremendously when he was here, for sure, just from a leadership standpoint. We had a great rapport, friendship. I’m happy for him, but we’ll blitz him this week.” This statement signals Minnesota’s intent to apply pressure on Darnold, who enjoyed a successful stint under Flores, leading the Vikings to a 14-3 record last season.
Despite Darnold’s success in the previous season, his recent performances have raised concerns. In the wild-card playoff loss to the Los Angeles Rams, he struggled significantly, losing 82 yards on nine sacks and throwing an interception along with a fumble returned for a touchdown. This past November 16, Darnold faced the Rams again, which resulted in another challenging outing marked by four interceptions.
As Darnold prepares for Week 13, he currently ranks sixth in the NFL with a 69.2 adjusted QBR, fifth with a 106.2 passer rating, sixth with 2,785 total passing yards, and tied for fifth with 19 touchdown passes, according to Pro Football Reference. These statistics highlight his capabilities as a quarterback, but his recent struggles against strong defenses prompt questions about his performance against Minnesota.
Flores remains cautious about Darnold’s evolution. “There are some things that we could say may have bothered him a year ago, but maybe they don’t this year,” he stated. The defensive coordinator acknowledges the possibility that Darnold’s increased experience could alter how he responds to Minnesota’s defensive strategies. “If it doesn’t bother him, you move on to something else. If it does, you keep running it,” Flores explained.
As the Seahawks prepare for this crucial match, they are currently positioned as 11.5-point favorites, according to ESPN BET. This line reflects a belief among insiders that Darnold may not face overwhelming challenges from the Vikings’ defense this Sunday, despite Flores’s strategic intentions.
The upcoming game promises to be an intriguing matchup, with Darnold aiming to demonstrate his growth as a quarterback while facing a defense that knows him well. As both teams vie for important playoff positioning, all eyes will be on the quarterback’s ability to respond to the pressure and deliver under challenging circumstances.
