Watch: Vikings' Darnold launches 45-yard moon ball vs. Bears

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold. Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Watch: Vikings QB Sam Darnold launches 45-yard moon ball vs. Bears

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Nov 24, 2024 1:52 PM ET

Sometimes, it's fair to question Sam Darnold's decision-making, but don't doubt the Minnesota Vikings quarterback's arm strength.

At the end of the first quarter in Sunday's road game against the Chicago Bears, Darnold chucked a 45-yard pass to wide receiver Jordan Addison on a 1st-and-5 at Chicago's 49-yard line. On the next play, Darnold fired a two-yard touchdown pass to Addison, tying the game at 7-7.

Jordan Addison comes down with it!

: #MINvsCHI on FOX
: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/VqxtVBQ3JY
— NFL (@NFL) November 24, 2024

Jordan Addison finishes the drive for Minnesota

: #MINvsCHI on FOX
: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/KRpe3U7Ny9
— NFL (@NFL) November 24, 2024

2018 No. 3 overall pick Darnold started hot but has recently cooled. Over his past three games, the 27-year-old has the same number of TD passes and interceptions (five). He logged 14 TD passes and five interceptions through his first seven starts.

Before the matchup with Minnesota, star Chicago cornerback Jaylon Johnson called out Darnold.

"I feel like he hasn't been consistent. He started hot...He's had a lot of turnovers lately," Johnson said, per the Chicago Sun-Times' Jason Lieser.

Despite some turnover-prone plays, Darnold is talented, which is one reason the Vikings are still rolling with him. If he can play cleaner for the remainder of the season, he could still lead the Vikings (8-2) to the playoffs.

Clark Dalton

Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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