Sam Darnold's Red Zone Struggles vs. Lions Left NFL Fans Perplexed

Darnold was named to his first Pro Bowl in 2024. | Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images

Sam Darnold is not having a good night.

In Sunday night's huge matchup between the Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions, Darnold struggled mightily in the first two-plus quarters, specifically in the red zone.

The Vikings got inside Detroit's 20-yard line four times and only managed to come away with six points on two field goals. Minnesota turned the ball over on downs twice inside the 10-yard line. On those two series, Darnold missed open receivers on multiple occasions. On those four red zone trips, he was 2-of-11 for eight yards and twice threw incomplete passes on fourth down.

Fans noticed how much the Pro Bowl quarterback was struggling and took to social media to express their shock and dismay.

Sam Darnold trying to complete a pass inside the 10 … pic.twitter.com/G8OE0DR49v

— Super 70s Sports (@Super70sSports) January 6, 2025

whew, someone's playing like sam darnold used to.

— bomani (@bomani_jones) January 6, 2025

Sam Darnold whenever he sees an open receiver: pic.twitter.com/qtyDAkuTvV

— Cardinals Stats And Facts (@STL_Stats_Facts) January 6, 2025

Is Sam Darnold seeing ghosts?

On that fourth down, he missed two wide open receivers, including the primary option?

— Henry McKenna (@henrycmckenna) January 6, 2025

Sam Darnold in the red zone tonight pic.twitter.com/tFcdAJ81cG

— j (@Jferrie23) January 6, 2025

Darnold seeing ghosts in the biggest regular season game of all time pic.twitter.com/9O4Hh7FktP

— E̷d̷w̷i̷n̷ (@IMissWinning) January 6, 2025

Midway through the third quarter the Lions lead the Vikings 10-9. The team that comes out on top will win the NFC North and earn the No. 1 seed in the NFC.

Minnesota has to hope Darnold can turn it around.

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