Sunday's version of Sam Darnold has looked very much like the player who failed in multiple NFL stops after being selected with the No. 3 pick in the 2018 draft. Fortunately for the Vikings, it didn't cost them in a 12-7 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Sam Darnold has experienced a career revival his his first season with the Minnesota Vikings. Sunday's version of Sam Darnold has looked very much like the player who failed in multiple NFL stops after being selected with the No.

In the end, the Vikings got a otherworldly effort from their defense, which made up for a shaky effort from their offense.

Though they have lost back-to-back games after their 5-0 start, the Minnesota Vikings still look, on balance, like one of the NFL's best teams. Brian Flores' elite, amoeba-like defense has been the subject of the most intense fascination, but there has also been a great deal of attention devoted to play of Sam Darnold .

Minnesota’s stingy defense held Jacksonville to 143 yards which are the fewest in coach Doug Pederson’s three seasons and the Vikings overcame Sam Darnold’s three interceptions to beat the Jaguars 12-7.

Minnesota got the ball to start the second half and quickly pushed into Jacksonville territory on two touches for Jordan Addison (a 5-yard run and a 21-yard catch). The Vikings on