Sam Darnold’s label of not being able to win a big game, which dates back to his final two games with the Minnesota Vikings, carried over to the Seattle Seahawks, who fell to the Los Angeles Rams in a key divisional matchup on November 16.
In that loss to Los Angeles, which allowed them to take the lead in the NFC West, Darnold had four interceptions. With Seattle having the Rams, San Francisco 49ers, and the Indianapolis Colts left on its schedule, Darnold will have an opportunity to show he can win big games, as the Seahawks still have a shot at winning the division.
Ahead of this final stretch of games for Seattle, ESPN NFL analyst Mina Kimes explained why the Seahawks’ signal caller has struggled in these big-time games.
“As far as the big game stuff, I think, to me, it’s less about the big games and the big stage and more about things that defenses have done that give him trouble,” Kimes said on an November 26 appearance on “The Jim Rome Show.”
“It’s been the Rams twice, right? I think that Chris Shula, who’s the Rams’ brilliant young defensive coordinator, has done a fantastic job of finding ways to create interior pressure and change the picture on the back end, and Sam has panicked a little bit.
“That’s something that he’s going to have to improve at, because I think the really good defenses are going to do similar tactics down the stretch. The Vikings will this weekend. But it’s almost good that the Rams game happened with so much season left, because I think now the Seahawks have a long runway to figure it out with him.”
Sam Darnold Is Thriving in Year 1 With Seahawks
In his first season with the Seahawks, Darnold has thrown for 2,785 yards, 19 touchdowns, 10 interceptions, and a 106.2 passer rating, per Pro Football Reference. He’s also building a strong connection with wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who has emerged as a legitimate No. 1 target.
That growing chemistry between Smith-Njigba and Darnold brings to mind the connection Justin Jefferson once had with the quarterback. Ahead of the game, the Vikings wide receiver spoke with the media on November 26, offering his perspective on Darnold finding success in his first year with Seattle.
“He’s definitely balling,“ Jefferson said of Darnold’s 2025 season. “It’s hard to miss it when the number one receiver is at the top in the NFL. He’s been killing it. Some people might mention the bad games he’s had, but overall, he’s leading his teams to victories. It will be tough to win in their home environment. We need to lock in, execute our plays on all three phases, and come out with the win.”
Sam Darnold Reflects on Time With the Vikings
Ahead of facing the Vikings in Week 13, Darnold reflected on the fond memories of his time in Minnesota and the bonds he still shares with people there, but that doesn’t change how he will approach his week or attack the game.
“I’m very grateful for the time that I spent there,” Darnold said (h/t Seahawks.com). “All the people that I created relationships with, all the people in that locker room, all the coaches there, the people in that building, but I am very excited to be here and to continue doing what we’re doing this year.”
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Seahawks’ Sam Darnold Gets Revealing Words From NFL Analyst appeared first on Heavy Sports.