🏈 14 Wins vs A Playoff Loss…What Weighs More?

Yesterday’s statement win for the LA Rams not only showed how strong of a team they have, but brought doubts as to the situation in Minnesota…

It was all Rams last night in the Wild Card finale in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals graciously offered their stadium after facilities in LA were unusable. The story of how quickly they turned around and hosted a playoff game in that stadium on 5 days’ notice could be its own story entirely, but we’ll save that one.

The Rams smothered the Vikings, 27-9, and it wasn’t even that close! Sam Darnold got sacked 8 times, picked once, and lost a fumble that was returned for a TD. The Vikings won 14 games this regular season and came up empty yet again in the playoffs. Two years ago it was against the Danny Dimes-led New York Giants, and now against the Rams. What does this now mean for Sam Darnold?

You know, I’d love to come here and say, “Hey, let’s look back at the great season that Sam Darnold just had” but for some reason, I just can’t bring myself to say that. In these last two games, the Vikings looked BAD, really bad! It wasn’t all on him at all, the O-Line couldn’t seem to block anybody, receivers needed to make a few more tough catches, and the defense couldn’t force any turnovers. It’s tough when all of that happens. But for the same reason QBs are the only nominees ever up for MVP; they are also looked on when things fall apart.

Sports are filled with heroic stories of underdogs and feel-good stories of guys who get that massive contract, but unfortunately, the way this season ended, it’s hard to believe Darnold will get that massive extension that was in the palm of his hands just 14 days ago. Had they beaten the Lions and even won one playoff game, he surely would have gotten the massive extension that solidified him as the starter in Minnesota, but now there are these doubts. They are going to creep into his head, Kevin O’Connell’s head, and the fanbase’s head.

Rookie JJ McCarthy will be back next season and who knows what juice he’s got, but it could be anyone’s job.

The highs and lows. The ebbs and flows.

Three weeks ago, Sam Darnold was lifted onto his teammate’s shoulders after a win.

Since then…

He may have just lost out on close to $60 Million.

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