Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14) escapes from Green Bay Packers defensive end Kingsley Enagbare (55) on Sunday, September 29, 2024, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. The Vikings won the game, 31-29. Tork Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin. To say it has been a tumultuous couple of weeks for Sam Darnold would be putting it lightly. The Minnesota Vikings quarterback has looked shaky to start the second half of the season, and it’s been a struggle for him to protect the football. That wasn’t a reality on Sunday, and Kevin O’Connell will surely sign up for more of that. The Game Sam Darnold Needed … The Chicago Bears were expected to present a formidable challenge to the Minnesota Vikings passing game. While plenty has gone wrong for Matt Eberflus this season, his secondary has been among the shining stars. Sam Darnold didn’t get that memo, or he didn’t care.