STEPHEN A. Smith has found himself in hot water with fans of First Take after making some questionable claims about Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold. During a recent episode, the ESPN analyst brought up statistics regarding Darnold’s performance, but many viewers were quick to point out inaccuracies in his statements.
Darnold has had a remarkable comeback season, leading the Vikings to an impressive 14-2 record. With one game left in the regular season, the Vikings are on the cusp of clinching the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs. A victory against the Detroit Lions in Week 18 would secure that coveted position. As the anticipation builds for this crucial matchup, the First Take crew previewed the showdown, setting the stage for a thrilling conclusion to the regular season.
While discussing Darnold’s performance, Smith acknowledged, "Darnold deserves credit; we know he’s had a stellar season." However, he went on to assert, "But the man hasn’t thrown for 300 yards since November 24 against Chicago." This statement raised eyebrows, as fans began to question the accuracy of his claims.
In reality, Darnold has had impressive outings, including a stunning performance against the Atlanta Falcons on December 8, where he threw for 347 yards and five touchdowns. More recently, he showcased his skills against the Green Bay Packers on December 29, accumulating 377 passing yards and three touchdowns. With these statistics in mind, Smith’s assertion that Darnold has not reached the 300-yard mark since November seemed misleading.
Fans took to social media to voice their frustrations. One user asked, "So does he apologize for yelling inaccurate info, or maybe just doesn’t matter?" Another chimed in, "This is why I can’t watch this show. He just threw for 377 yards this past Sunday." The backlash was palpable, with many fans highlighting that Darnold has recorded two career highs in passing yards since the Bears game.
Darnold currently ranks fourth in the league in passing yards for 2024, with a total of 4,153 yards. Only Joe Burrow, Jared Goff, and Baker Mayfield have surpassed him in this category. Additionally, Darnold is also fifth in passing touchdowns this season, boasting 35 touchdowns. For context, Burrow leads the league with 42 touchdown passes, while Lamar Jackson and Baker Mayfield follow closely with 39 each.
As the Vikings prepare for their pivotal matchup against the Lions, Smith continued to express skepticism about Darnold’s performance, stating, "Can we pump the brakes a little and have the mentality of ‘let’s see’?" He questioned why Darnold seemed to escape the scrutiny that other quarterbacks face, urging a more cautious approach to evaluating his success.
The upcoming Week 18 schedule promises to be exhilarating, with the NFL announcing a prime-time showdown between the Vikings and Lions on Sunday night. The stakes couldn’t be higher, as the winner will be crowned NFC North champions and secure the No. 1 seed for the playoffs. The loser, on the other hand, will have to settle for a wild card spot, making every moment of the game crucial.
Week 18 kicks off with a Saturday doubleheader on ESPN and ABC, featuring the Baltimore Ravens taking on the Cleveland Browns at 4:30 PM ET, followed by the Cincinnati Bengals visiting the Pittsburgh Steelers at 8 PM ET. On Sunday, eight games are scheduled for 1 PM ET, with five more at 4:25 PM ET, including a thrilling matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Denver Broncos.
With the season drawing to a close, fans are eager to see how Darnold and the Vikings will perform against their division rivals. Will they solidify their position as the top team in the NFC, or will the Lions spoil their plans? The excitement is palpable as the NFL regular season reaches its climax.
As the Vikings gear up for this critical game, the spotlight will undoubtedly be on Darnold. Will he rise to the occasion and prove his doubters wrong? Or will the pressure of the moment get to him? With so much on the line, one thing is for sure: this matchup will be one for the ages, and fans will be watching closely to see how it all unfolds.
In the world of the NFL, every game matters, and every performance is scrutinized. As we head into the playoffs, the focus will remain on players like Darnold, who have the potential to change the narrative and lead their teams to glory. The excitement of the game is what makes the NFL so captivating, and as we look forward to the playoffs, the anticipation only grows.
