The next time Minnesota stopped the Lions came with 27 seconds to play. Darnold took a knee, ending the game and sending the Vikings to face old rival Matthew Stafford on Monday night. They are the NFL’s first 14-win wild-card team.

Darnold played poorly on Sunday night against the Lions. His resilience will determine the Vikings' postseason fate in the coming weeks.

Host Michael Rand was joined by Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse for a look back at the weekend in Minnesota sports, which of course started with the Vikings’ disappointing 31-9 loss in Detroit.

During the first few seasons of his NFL career, former USC QB Sam Darnold went viral for all of the wrong reasons. There was his first ever NFL pass being a pick six. There was the graphic of him being out with mononucleosis.

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold throws the ball against the Detroit Lions. After the game, he took accountability and acknowledged his gaffes. “Kicking field goals isn’t going to get it done against that team,” said the 27-year-old Darnold in a report from the Associated Press. “I have to hit those throws.”

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold is in line for a significant raise after his Pro Bowl-caliber season.

The betting odds for Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold to win the Comeback Player of the Year Award have been rising. Can the former USC Trojans leader beat Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow for the honor?

Detroit dominated in the most important game of the regular season, and the difference was a quarterback who looks ready for the challenges ahead.

Jahmyr Gibbs topped 100 yards rushing in all 3 games the Lions played without David Montgomery and fell just shy of 2,000 scrimmage yards.

PM ET on NBC, sportsbooks have issued player props on Sam Darnold. NFC North rivals meet in Week 18 when Darnold and the Minnesota Vikings (14-2)

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.