Darnold was named to his first Pro Bowl this season after leading the Vikings to a 14–3 record. He completed 66.2% of his passes for 4,319 yards and 35 touchdowns, all career-high marks. The 27-year-old also hit career highs in passer rating (102.5) and QBR (60.7).

At the dawn of the new year, Sam Darnold was a folk hero in Minnesota. Not only did the quarterback -- no longer locally branded a reclamation project, but rather a full-blown, high-octane Pro Bowler -- sweep the rival Green Bay Packers to give the Vikings their best regular-season record in 16 years,

The Minnesota Vikings ’ matchup with the Detroit Lions in Week 18 was the regular season Super Bowl for both teams. Home field advantage in the playoffs, the critical bye, and the NFC North title were on the line — and like so many times in the team’s past, when the lights shone brightest, Minnesota faltered.