But McCarthy suffered a season-ending torn ACL in the preseason, and free agent signing Sam Darnold has led the Vikings to a surprising 14-2 record with a chance to win the NFC North and the conference’s No. 1 overall seed on Sunday with a win over the Detroit Lions.

During the Minnesota Vikings' 27–25 win over the Green Bay Packers in Week 17, coach Kevin O'Connell stopped to give Darnold a word of encouragement. Before relaying a play to his quarterback, O'Connell told him how great he was playing and how proud of him he was.

In addition to Darnold, Justin Jefferson, Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel, Byron Murphy Jr., and Andrew DePaola were also selected.

Minnesota is 14-2 on the year, same as the Lions, entering the two teams’ winner-take-the-NFC game on Sunday night in Detroit. They haven’t lost since falling in back-to-back games to the Lions and Rams in late October as they’ve doubled their win total from last year even after losing their expected starting quarteback to injury in the preseason.

Together, Jefferson and Darnold have formed a strong tandem throughout the season, helping the Vikings hold a top-five passing offense and both stars reach the Pro Bowl.

Many Vikings players are having career years, and many will be going to the Pro Bowl Games on Feb. 2 in Orlando, Fla. Unless they are preparing for the Super Bowl in New Orleans on Feb. 9. Quarterback Sam Darnold,

Having significantly increased his value across the NFL this season, Sam Darnold's future with the Minnesota Vikings will be one of the key questions

The Vikings had 6 players selected to the NFL Pro Bowl Games, including 5 starters, the team's most since 2009 when it had 8. The starters are Jonathan Greenard, Andrew

Sam Darnold heads to Detroit riding the wave of a breakout season with the Vikings, whose hopes of capturing the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs for the first time since 1998 rest on his continued comfort and efficiency in a highly potent offense under coach Kevin O’Connell.

Darnold has set career highs in just about every passing category, while also leading the Vikings to an impressive 14-2 record and a shot at the NFC's top seed.

Minnesota Vikings QB Sam Darnold is a Pro Bowler for the first time in his career, which means the free agency vultures are watching closely. The post Struggling AFC Squad Predicted to Steal Sam Darnold From Vikings appeared first on Heavy Sports.