Early in the second quarter on Sunday, those who wondered whether Sam Darnold and Justin Jefferson could combine to beat a quality opponent got their answer.
With an exclamation point.
Backed up on his own 3-yard line, Darnold hit Jefferson on an inside dig route. The All-Pro wide receiver reversed his field, picked up a key block and beat the 49ers to the pylon for a 97-yard touchdown. The play was significant not just because it broke open a close game but because it rewarded the Vikings’ faith in Darnold.
“The amount of work that goes into that position on your quarterback journey,” said head coach Kevin O’Connell following the game, “when everybody decides that you can not play; we always believed in him and it felt awesome to watch him go to that thing. I’m really proud of Sam Darnold.”
Darnold’s most important pass, however, may have been his third-down conversion for 26 yards to Jalen Nailor. Down 20-14 halfway through the fourth quarter, that play continued a crucial field-goal drive that eventually consumed nearly seven minutes and extended the Vikings’ lead.
And Darnold had to lead that drive without Jefferson, who left earlier with a quadricep contusion. But following the game, Jefferson (four catches, 133 yards) said he’s not seriously injured.
“So that’s the main important thing,” said Jefferson, who reached 400 career receptions and matched Lance Alworth as the fastest player in NFL history to eclipse 6,000 receiving yards. “So it’s just all about getting to the training room, making sure my body is right for next week and I’ll be ready to go next Sunday.”
Next Sunday is a matinee showdown with the Houston Texans back at U.S. Bank Stadium.