Sam Darnold gives Minnesota hope. © APA / STEPHEN MATUREN

Vikings in position for showdown against Lions

The Minnesota Vikings have fought their way to a final for the top spot in the NFC against the Detroit Lions in the US football league NFL.

30 December 2024

From: dpa

Minnesota won 27:25 against the Green Bay Packers. On the last matchday, there will be a showdown with the Lions and the German star receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown. The league leader has a bye in the first round of the playoffs.

In Minneapolis, quarterback Sam Darnold was once again the celebrated player. The 27-year-old American was signed before the season to ease the transition to starting position for rookie JJ McCarthy. But the newcomer injured his knee, and so Darnold led the Vikings in their 16th game. Against the Packers, Darnold impressed with passes for 377 yards and three touchdowns. On the way to the 14th win of the season, the quarterback could even afford to lose the ball once.

"It was absolute chaos," said Darnold after being showered with water by teammates and coaches in the locker room: "It was a nice moment to be celebrated like that by my colleagues." Coach Kevin O'Connell praised the "extremely high level" of his quarterback.

New rookie record

The Lions and St. Brown are preparing for the important duel at the San Francisco 49ers on New Year's Eve. Behind the winner of the game, the Philadelphia Eagles secured second place in the NFC with a comfortable 41:7 victory over the Dallas Cowboys.

Jayden Daniels hit like a bomb. © APA / TIMOTHY NWACHUKWU

Quarterback Jayden Daniels set a record for yards rushed in his first year in the Washington Commanders' 30-24 overtime win over the Atlanta Falcons. The rookie has rushed for 820 yards in the games so far, surpassing the record set by Robert Griffin III (815) in 2012.