Despite a determined effort and one of his best performances, former USC Trojans quarterback Sam Darnold and the Minnesota Vikings fell to the Detroit Lions in a close 31-29 loss. The Vikings’ unbeaten streak has ended, but Darnold remains optimistic about the future.

Entering Sunday’s divisional matchup against the Lions with a perfect 5-0 record, the Vikings lost their first game of the season after a tough battle.

Even with the defeat, Darnold showcased resilience, recovering from an early interception. “That’s just the type of team we are. Regardless of the score or situation, we’ll keep fighting and stay resilient,” Darnold stated in the post-game press conference. He completed 22 of 27 passes for 259 yards, with one touchdown and one interception. Interestingly, he also ranked as the Vikings’ second-leading rusher, gaining 39 yards on four carries.

While Minnesota’s offense struggled at times, they excelled in the second half, outscoring the Lions 19-10 in the final quarters. Unfortunately, their comeback fell short due to a late field goal by Detroit. After the game, Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell expressed his trust in the team.

“I have complete confidence in the guys in the locker room and the coaching staff. Today’s outcome doesn’t change our future; we need to keep improving as a unit,” O’Connell said.

Darnold has now thrown 12 passing touchdowns this season, ranking him fourth in the NFL. He boasts a completion rate of 66.5%, a quarterback rating of 104.0, and only five interceptions.

Though not perfect, Darnold has surpassed expectations and kept the Vikings competitive throughout the season. “It’s still early in the year. Detroit is a strong team, and so are Green Bay and Chicago. We’ll keep our focus and work hard. With a short week ahead, the guys are recovering and getting ready for Thursday,” Darnold noted.

The Vikings now stand at 5-1, one of the few teams with a single loss. They remain well-positioned for a playoff spot and are contenders in the competitive NFC North. They’ll look to rebound against the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday Night Football.