Sam Darnold Has Nightmare First Half in Playoff Debut vs. Rams

Sam Darnold had a brutal first half in the wild card round that had NFL fans wondering what it meant for his present and future.

The Minnesota Vikings entered the half trailing the Los Angeles Rams 24-3 after an absolutely terrible half of football offensively. The Vikings couldn't sustain anything on offense and it buried them as the Rams took advantage.

Darnold finished the half 13-of-16 for 113 yards, with no touchdowns, an interception, and a fumble that was returned for a touchdown. He was sacked six times and under pressure constantly. He looked like the quarterback who struggled mightily in Week 18 against the Detroit Lions and didn't remotely resemble the guy who led the Vikings to a 14-2 record through the season's first 17 weeks.

NFL fans were quick to jump all over him on social media.

Vikings need to unplug Sam Darnold, wait 20 seconds and try again.
— Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) January 14, 2025

If Sam Darnold's next contract was a parlay pic.twitter.com/DrpvtFCDkF
— Will Brinson (@WillBrinson) January 14, 2025

Sam Darnold’s agent watching him play the last two weeks: pic.twitter.com/BuButfqnch
— James Seltzer (@JamesSeltzer) January 14, 2025

In 60 minutes, Sam Darnold is losing all the money he made himself the last 6 months.
— Emmanuel Acho (@EmmanuelAcho) January 14, 2025

Sam Darnold made himself a fortune from Weeks 1-17

He's trying to give it all back in Week 18 and the Wild Card round.
— Sam Monson (@SamMonsonNFL) January 14, 2025

Live look at Sam Darnold's future pic.twitter.com/8dcMFCxPNB
— TK (@TeeKayTwelve) January 14, 2025

Sam Darnold asks the Vikings for a new contract. pic.twitter.com/mc7OIuGR9v
— Funhouse (@BackAftaThis) January 14, 2025

Even Troy Aikman got in on the act.

Joe Buck and Troy Aikman comment on what's been a miserable first half for the Vikings.

Buck: Sam Darnold and Kevin O'Connell look shell-shocked. The way this first half has unfolded.

Aikman: Everything that can go wrong for Minnesota, has. pic.twitter.com/rkHR7gEnwg
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) January 14, 2025

Darnold and the Vikings have 30 minutes left to salvage their season. They'll need their Pro Bowl quarterback to look like one if they want to make this game competitive.