Kevin O’Connell sees Sam Darnold swan in Vikings win, despite three ugly ducklings

Sam Darnold is among NFL leaders in turnovers after three ugly interceptions during a 12-7 Vikings win at Jacksonville on Sunday. And per ProFootballReference.com, Minnesota became just the fifth team in league history, the first since 2006, to win a game after committing at least three turnovers and failing to score a touchdown.

Yet head coach Kevin O’Connell said he hasn’t lost a drip of confidence in his quarterback. In fact, O’Connell said adversity like Sunday will help Darnold and the Vikings as their 2024 journey continues.

“I was looking at it as a great opportunity to see growth and continue to move the team,” said O’Connell after his club improved to 7-2. “We’re going to check back on this moment and use it the right way, and Sam is going to be better off for it. I truly do believe that.”

Believe in the Vikings. Good teams win ugly games and that’s just what Minnesota did Sunday. Darnold interceptions ended three of the Vikings’ first five possessions, two in the red zone.

But the Minnesota defense had his back, forcing punts after each of those turnovers. The Vikings got their own takeaways, too – one on each of the final three drives as the Jaguars folded with new quarterback Mac Jones. Nose tackle Harrison Phillips recovered a fumble early in the fourth quarter before Byron Murphy and Camryn Bynum intercepted Jones to thwart each of the final two possessions for Jacksonville (2-8).

Minnesota didn’t allow a touchdown in Jacksonville’s five trips inside the red zone and John Parker Romo, a 27-year-old journeyman signed and cut by three teams before the Vikings inked him earlier this week, made all four field goals to propel Minnesota to a second straight win. The Jaguars managed just 143 yards, fifth fewest in franchise history.

The Vikings spoiled the first Jaguars start for Jones, sent to his hometown in an offseason trade after beginning his career in New England. And it might not be the last start for Jones. Trevor Lawrence has a sprained AC joint in his left, non-throwing shoulder, and could be out longer than Sunday.

Minnesota is in the midst of three straight road games, continuing that stretch at Tennessee in Week 11 and at Chicago in Week 12. Jacksonville’s reward for a tough loss is a Week 11 trip to Detroit, a club many consider the best in the NFL.

For more information on the Vikings and Jaguars, visit the Minnesota and Jacksonville team pages at ProFootballPost.com.