The next time Minnesota stopped the Lions came with 27 seconds to play. Darnold took a knee, ending the game and sending the Vikings to face old rival Matthew Stafford on Monday night. They are the NFL’s first 14-win wild-card team.

After leading the Minnesota Vikings to a 27-25 win over the Green Bay Packers last week, Darnold was mobbed in the locker room by his teammates and lifted up onto their shoulders. The clip quickly went viral on social media as a sign of the support that Minneosta’s players have for their quarterback.

Host Michael Rand was joined by Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse for a look back at the weekend in Minnesota sports, which of course started with the Vikings’ disappointing 31-9 loss in Detroit.

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold throws the ball against the Detroit Lions. After the game, he took accountability and acknowledged his gaffes. “Kicking field goals isn’t going to get it done against that team,” said the 27-year-old Darnold in a report from the Associated Press. “I have to hit those throws.”

Big things are expected from Sam Darnold in this one as the former USC star looks to keep his foot on the gas amid what has been an incredible season for him. Making the trip to Detroit with Darnold is his girlfriend, Katie Hoofnagle, who took to Instagram to flex her outfit before kick-off.

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold is in line for a significant raise after his Pro Bowl-caliber season.

The betting odds for Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold to win the Comeback Player of the Year Award have been rising. Can the former USC Trojans leader beat Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow for the honor?

Detroit dominated in the most important game of the regular season, and the difference was a quarterback who looks ready for the challenges ahead.

Jahmyr Gibbs topped 100 yards rushing in all 3 games the Lions played without David Montgomery and fell just shy of 2,000 scrimmage yards.

PM ET on NBC, sportsbooks have issued player props on Sam Darnold. NFC North rivals meet in Week 18 when Darnold and the Minnesota Vikings (14-2)

Minnesota is 14-2 on the year, same as the Lions, entering the two teams’ winner-take-the-NFC game on Sunday night in Detroit. They haven’t lost since falling in back-to-back games to the Lions and Rams in late October as they’ve doubled their win total from last year even after losing their expected starting quarteback to injury in the preseason.