Vikings remain stable after thrilling win at Bears

No. 5 (plus 2 spots): NFL Staff, Bleacher Report

Sam Darnold’s renovation tour continues.

It wasn’t the prettiest win – the Vikings blew a late lead and allowed Chicago to force overtime with an onside kick recovery. But after a three-and-out on the first drive of overtime, Darnold gave the Vikings the lead right away and scored a game-winning Parker Romo field goal.

Darnold finished the game with 330 yards and two touchdowns, and after the win, head coach Kevin O’Connell told reporters he was confident Darnold can lead the Vikings to victory – no matter the opponent.

“It was just the ability to overcome and his trust in me and my trust in him,” O’Connell said. “We wanted to make it over the pass for the most part and try to mix in a few runs there if possible. But I think when my best is called for, I didn’t hesitate to try to attack what I saw and try to get our guys to get there and give Parker a chance. This group will never be perfect and it’s a road win in the NFC North and that’s what I’m really proud of our team for.”

After a two-game break, the Vikings have rattled off four straight wins. And the team has a manageable schedule (before) games against the Packers and Lions, who could have big stakes in the NFC North.

“The Vikings have a franchise quarterback. No, it’s not JJ McCarthy, who the organization selected in the top 10 last April,” said Bleacher Report NFL analyst Brent Sobleski. “The reclamation project called Sam Darnold has become something special. Darnold has reclaimed his career after playing for three different teams over the past four seasons. He’s comfortable and it shows, especially in crunch time.”

“In Sunday’s overtime win over the Chicago Bears, Darnold completed 11 of 13 passes in the fourth quarter and overtime,” Sobleski added. “He is now facing a contract extension. McCarthy just has to wait a while longer after recovering from a knee injury before taking the reins.”