EAGAN, Minn. – It's only fitting after setting a career benchmark.
Sam Darnold has been named the NFC Offensive Player of the Week for Week 14, the league announced Wednesday.
The honor comes after Darnold completed a career-high five touchdown passes Sunday afternoon against the Falcons, helping lead Minnesota to a 42-21 victory.
Vikings Head Coach Kevin O'Connell spoke with media members Monday and was asked if he had any additional thoughts on Darnold's performance after reviewing the game film.
"A couple throws that, from my vantage point [on the sideline], maybe looked a bit more clean or easier than they probably actually were," O'Connell said. "Just the pitch-and-catch feel between Sam, Justin [Jefferson] and Jordan [Addison] was pretty spectacular. There was some high, high-level stuff going on, in rhythm, some kind of sneaky hidden plays here and there to convert third downs."
Minnesota entered the fourth quarter against Atlanta tied 21-21 and went on to score three touchdowns, including two passes from Darnold to Addison and a rushing score by Aaron Jones, Sr.
In the fourth quarter, Darnold was 10-of-11 passing (90.9 percent) for 128 yards and the two touchdowns. His fourth-quarter passer rating was 154.7.
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Vikings Offensive Coordinator Wes Phillips commented on Darnold's "great, great football game," noting his performance within concepts as well as off-schedule plays.
"You know, he avoids a free guy and keeps his eyes up and finds Justin, moves in the pocket, stole first downs with his legs once again, or just positive plays using his legs [that] have shown up all year long," Phillips said. "And then, just made some great throws and great decisions throughout the game. No turnovers, winning football all around. But it was a little more than that."
Darnold became the 10th Viking to win an NFC Player of the Week Award in O'Connell's three seasons (47 games so far).
NFC Players of the Week Under O'Connell
2024 Week 14 vs. Atlanta: Sam Darnold, QB (Offensive)
2024 Week 3 vs. Houston: Jonathan Greenard, OLB (Defensive)
2023 Week 9 at Atlanta: Joshua Dobbs, QB (Offensive)
2023 Week 7 vs. San Francisco: Camryn Bynum, S (Defensive)
2023 Week 6 at Chicago: Jordan Hicks, LB (Defensive)
2022 Week 12 vs. New England: Kene Nwangwu, RB/KR (Special Teams)
2022 Week 10 at Buffalo: Justin Jefferson, WR (Offensive)
2022 Week 8 vs. Arizona: Za'Darius Smith, OLB (Defensive)
2022 Week 6 at Miami: Ryan Wright, P (Special Teams)
2022 Week 4 vs. New Orleans in London: Greg Joseph, K (Special Teams)
