I'm gonna track both JJ and Darnold going forward in this thread.
JJ Mccarthy shouldn't have a tough day against a subpar Bears defense. The Bears allow 27.4 ppg which is 28th in the league. They allow 6.3 ypp which is 30th.
The Bears secondary has 3 key players on IR. Starting CB Jaylon Johnson, starting NB Kyler Gordon, and backup CB Terrell Smith. Backup CB Josh Blackwell got concused in the Ravens game, and missed last week vs the Bengals. He's questionable vs the Vikings.
My take, JJ has no excuses in this spot. With guys like Jefferson, Addison, Nailer and Hockenson at his disposal, there's no reason they shouldn't move the ball. He also shouldn't face much of a pass rush at all, minus some Dennis Allen blitz's that sometimes get through.
The Bears are 16th in the league in sack % at 7.05%. Although they have a 31% pass rush win rate from their d line which is 30th in the nfl.
So the key will be vs the blitz.
It would help if his o line gets their shit together as well, as they were called for 9 false starts at home vs the Ravens last week. How that happens is beyond me. Maybe his cadence sucks, or communication errors getting the plays in. If KOC is a real QB whisperer as people say, this is the game to clean all that up.
Darnold on the other hand has a tough game otr vs a stout Rams D.
The Rams allow 17 ppg, #2 in the league. They allow 4.9 ypp which is #6 in the league.
No one is hurt or questionable from the Rams secondary except Ankelo Witherspoon who hit the IR in mid September.
The Rams sack % is 7.78% which is 10th in the league. Although the Seahawks have allowed a 4.13% sack rate which is #2 in the league. The Rams D line has a 40% pass rush win rate, #12 in the league.
When it comes vs the blitz, Darnold has been one of the best in the business. We saw it last year as well. His passer rating vs the blitz this year is 130.8, with a 9.9 ypp, 12 td's no interceptions.
I think it's safe to say that the Rams will want to rush with just 4, we'll see.
This game will have playoff vibes as both teams are 7-2 where the winner will take the lead in the nfc west. So the question is, will Darnold fold as he has in the past in huge games like this?
Always easy when you look at something from hindsight.
Darnold wouldn't have any meaningful minutes if JJ didnt get hurt.
How can you just give up on your FIRST pick from LAST YEAR?
How do you know this wasn't another Casey Keenum situation?
Vikings 2024 went 14-3 with Darnold.
But all I remember is the blowout lost to the Lions for the division.
Followed by a blowout lost to the Rams in the Wildcard Round.
JJ just beat the Lions on the road as +9 dogs.
Not to diminish Darnold success with Seattle. But Geno Smith was having great success there too. Seahawks just a great football team to play for.
You must of not read the opening post.
1. I am not looking at this in hindsight. I had a looooong thread about the Vikings last year, Sam Darnold in particular.
2. It's not a Case Keenum situation because Sam Darnold has proven himself 2 years in a row now, with 2 different teams. Case Keenum fell of a life after that one good Vikings year.
3. I mentioned those 2 losses last year that Darnold had. We are still waiting for him to win a big/important game. This Sunday is another true test.
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