Sam Darnold has been a big story in the NFL through two weeks, as he’s guided the Minnesota Vikings to a 2-0 start. But Darnold isn’t the only member of the team off to a hot start in 2024.
The supporting cast in Minnesota has played well around Darnold, something the former first-round pick hasn’t benefited from often in his career.
Here’s a look at five Vikings other than Darnold who have played key roles in the Vikings’ perfect start.
5 Vikings Playing Well Around Sam Darnold
Justin Jefferson, Wide Receiver
No surprise here, but it’s still worth mentioning that Justin Jefferson is a game-breaker for the Vikings. He’s had three big-time plays in the first two games, tipping the scales significantly in the Vikings’ favor each time.
The first instance was against the New York Giants when the Vikings were backed up inside their own 10-yard line. Jefferson broke free from coverage and hauled in a 44-yard pass from Darnold to get Minnesota close to midfield.
The second instance happened moments later when, on the same drive, the Vikings were faced with a 4th-and-2 from the New York three-yard line. Jefferson beat man coverage, flashed open, and hauled in Darnold’s pass for a touchdown.
And finally, of course, the 97-yard bomb from Darnold to Jefferson in the second quarter last Sunday against San Francisco. The Vikings had a 3-0 lead at the time, but San Francisco was looking to capitalize on good field position. Instead, Darnold capitalized on solid play all around him and dropped a pinpoint-accurate throw to his top receiver, who did the rest along the way to the longest touchdown in the NFL through two weeks.
The Vikings are missing both Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson at the moment, and Jefferson has stepped up in their absence. Jefferson has accounted for 40.3% of Darnold’s passing yardage so far in 2024.
Pat Jones II, Edge
Two games and two sacks in each game for Pat Jones II.
But sack totals don’t tell the whole story for Jones. A third-round pick from 2021, Jones has been a developmental player in past seasons. This season, he’s proving to be a pivotal player in the Vikings’ rotation of outside linebackers.
Jones is also making plays in the run game, which is garnering the attention of defensive coordinator Brian Flores.
“He played lights out,” Flores said on Tuesday. “Just from his physicality in the run game, on early downs. I know it’s the sacks that everyone talks about. Those are great. But there’s a lot of other plays on early downs … he had a huge third-down run stop, he was physical. He did a lot of nice things.”
Coach Flores's thoughts on @P_jones9 performance pic.twitter.com/aOezzH7TsD
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) September 17, 2024
Jones has played on 64 of 141 (45%) possible defensive snaps yet has been one of the most impactful players with four sacks, five additional tackles, and a forced fumble under his ledger.
Jalen Nailor, Wide Receiver
Touchdowns, big-time catches on third downs, and gritty blocking downfield are all contributions put forth by Jalen Nailor through two games in 2024. Nailor had a big training camp for the Vikings, and now he’s off to a big start in the regular season.
When Addison left in the third quarter of Week 1 in New York, Nailor stepped in and immediately scored on a 21-yard connection from Darnold to give the Vikings a 21-3 lead.
When the Vikings were faced with a 3rd-and-8 near midfield, holding onto a six-point lead midway through the fourth quarter, it was Nailor who came up big when he hauled in a back-shoulder pass from Darnold down the right seam for a 26-yard gain to the San Francisco 28-yard line.
Nailor also had a 10-yard touchdown grab late in the third quarter, which gave the Vikings a 20-7 lead which they did not relinquish.
Christian Darrisaw, Offensive Tackle
The Vikings have one of the best, if not the best, offensive tackle tandems in the NFL with left tackle Christian Darrisaw and right tackle Brian O’Neill holding down the edges for Kevin O’Connell’s offense.
In looking at their impact, it’s as much about looking at what’s not happening as it is about observing what is happening. And what’s not happening is edge defenders such as New York’s Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux and San Francisco’s Nick Bosa and Leonard Floyd changing games, which they typically do.
Those four players in two games against the Vikings this season have made only two plays behind the line of scrimmage. Meanwhile, the Vikings have allowed only two sacks of Darnold after he was taken down on his first dropback of the season — plus they are averaging 5.1 yards per rushing attempt.
Aaron Jones and Ty Chandler, Running Backs
Aaron Jones was a priority free agent signing this past offseason, and O’Connell and Co. looked to jumpstart their rushing attack after a substandard effort in 2023. The signing paid dividends in Week 1 as Jones found the end zone for the Vikings’ first touchdown of the season.
Jones and Chandler have alternated impressive performances on the ground in the first two weeks, with Jones leading the way against New York in Week 1 and Chandler taking the lead against San Francisco with 82 yards on 10 carries.
While some may be surprised to see it was Chandler leading the Vikings in rushing yardage last Sunday, you can count offensive coordinator Wes Phillips among those unsurprised.
“It was nothing unexpected from Ty,” Phillips said on Tuesday. “Really kind of like the one-two punch we’ve got going with Aaron and Ty. They have some similar skill sets, but also there’s a difference in how each one hits the hole. I think they bring a little something different to the defense.
“I think you see Ty’s explosiveness and burst show up when he gets the edge on the long run. Even last week, or two weeks ago now, on the catch he had backed up. Shooting out of the backfield, that explosiveness, and that speed I think you see show up on those types of plays. I thought Ty finished really physically, really strong last week, and it showed up (with) yards after contact.”
But if you listen to O’Connell speak, he’s pleased with what Jones and Chandler have brought from a toughness standpoint and in the blocking game as much as with their production as runners and pass catchers.
“It’s Aaron Jones helping Ed (Ingram) inside right there on the interior rush,” O’Connell said on Monday in crediting all 11 offensive players for their role on Jefferson’s 97-yard touchdown.
All 11 #Vikings finished their job on @JJettas2's 97-yard TD. pic.twitter.com/bQz8neEJj0
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) September 16, 2024