As the Seattle Seahawks prepare to face the Minnesota Vikings this Sunday, significant attention is being placed on quarterback Sam Darnold, who will be facing one of his former teams. The Seahawks, boasting an impressive record of 8-3, will host the struggling Vikings, currently at 4-7, at Lumen Field.
In a press conference on Tuesday, Minnesota’s defensive coordinator Brian Flores hinted at a strategic approach aimed at challenging Darnold, a player he once coached. Flores, who oversaw Darnold’s contributions during the Vikings’ strong 2024 season—where they won 14 out of 17 regular-season games—expressed respect for Darnold’s growth as a player.
“He’s one of my favorites,” Flores stated, according to Andrew Krammer of The Minnesota Star Tribune. “He’s grown tremendously when he was here, for sure, just from a leadership standpoint. We had a great rapport, friendship. I’m happy for him, but we’ll blitz him this week.” Flores’ comments suggest an aggressive game plan aimed at testing Darnold’s ability to manage pressure, particularly given their shared history.
While Darnold enjoyed a successful stint with the Vikings, leading them to a 14-3 record last season, his performance in critical moments has raised concerns. In the wild-card playoff game against the Los Angeles Rams, Darnold faced significant challenges, including losing 82 yards on nine sacks and committing two turnovers. The quarterback’s ability to bounce back from those setbacks will be crucial in the upcoming match.
As the current season unfolds, Darnold ranks impressively among NFL quarterbacks. Heading into Week 13, he is sixth in the league with a 69.2 adjusted QBR, fifth with a 106.2 passer rating, and has accrued 2,785 total passing yards. He has also thrown for 19 touchdown passes, tying him for fifth in that category. Nonetheless, his recent performance against the Rams on November 16, 2023, where he was intercepted four times, raises questions about his consistency under pressure.
Flores acknowledged the complexities of facing a quarterback like Darnold, noting that past experiences could inform future strategies. “There are some things that we could say may have bothered him a year ago, but maybe they don’t this year,” he said. “You try it out and see if that still bothers him. If it doesn’t, you move on to something else. If it does, you keep running it.” This approach highlights Flores’ intent to adapt his defensive strategies based on Darnold’s development and familiarity with the game.
As of Wednesday morning, ESPN BET listed the Seahawks as significant favorites at 11.5 points, suggesting that analysts expect Darnold to face considerable challenges in the match. The game promises to be a compelling matchup, pitting Darnold’s current form against the tactical mind of Flores, as both teams aim to secure a pivotal win in the competitive landscape of the NFL.
