What started as Kirk Cousins’ anticipated return to Minnesota quickly transformed into Sam Darnold’s breakthrough moment and a statement victory for the Vikings.
In a thunderous 42-21 win against the Atlanta Falcons at U.S. Bank Stadium, Darnold, alongside explosive performances from Jordan Addison and Justin Jefferson, turned heads and rewrote record books.
The Vikings are surging, now riding a six-game winning streak and standing tall at 11-2, inching closer to playoff contention.
Darnold’s performance was nothing short of spectacular, torching the Falcons for 347 yards and five touchdowns—both career-high marks that signal his remarkable first season in Minnesota.
CBS reports confirm Darnold etched his name in Vikings history, posting a jaw-dropping 157.9 passer rating, a single-game record for the franchise with a minimum of 15 attempts.
Sam Darnold’s 157.9 passer rating is a @Vikings single-game record
(minimum 15 attempts) pic.twitter.com/RbJq3uC4T4
— NFL on CBS ? (@NFLonCBS) December 8, 2024
His second-half explosion was particularly impressive, unleashing 250 yards as Minnesota broke a 21-21 tie early in the fourth quarter.
The offensive fireworks weren’t limited to Darnold.
Jordan Addison electrified the crowd with eight receptions for 133 yards and three touchdowns, while Justin Jefferson ended his scoring drought emphatically, collecting seven catches for 132 yards and two touchdowns.
Moreover, Addison and Jefferson became the first Vikings duo to each surpass 100 receiving yards and score at least two touchdowns in the same game.
Addison further distinguished himself by becoming the first Vikings player to catch three touchdowns since Stefon Diggs achieved the feat in 2019 during Kirk Cousins’ tenure.
With the NFC North race heating up, the Vikings are staying hot on Detroit’s heels, setting the stage for a massive Week 18 showdown that could determine divisional bragging rights and playoff positioning.
NEXT: Everyone Was Saying The Same Thing About Sam Darnold On Sunday
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