Sam Darnold helps the Vikings to their tenth win of the season with a victory over the Cardinals

Sam Darnold has emerged as the unlikely star of the 2024 season as the Minnesota Vikings recorded their third 10-win season in six years with a narrow win over the Arizona Cardinals.

Darnold, an outcast quarterback who was likely expected to serve as JJ McCarthy’s backup at some point during the year before the rookie was injured, staked his claim to the title of comeback player of the year to beat on Sunday.

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Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold celebrates after throwing a touchdown pass in the second half against the Arizona Cardinals on Dec. 1, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)

He led the Vikings down the field with an eight-play, 70-yard drive that ended with a 5-yard touchdown pass to Aaron Jones. Minnesota took a 23-22 lead with 1:13 to play and won by the same score.

Darnold was 21 of 31 with 235 passing yards and two touchdown passes. The pass to Jones cemented the biggest comeback of Darnold’s career. The other touchdown pass went to Johnny Mundt.

“There is no other place I would rather play; “I’m just so grateful to be a Viking,” the veteran quarterback told FOX’s Pam Oliver after the game.

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Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold throws a pass against the Arizona Cardinals in the first half. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Darnold was Brock Purdy’s backup with the San Francisco 49ers last year and is on the verge of getting Minnesota back to the playoffs.

Minnesota cornerback Shaquil Griffin grabbed Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray to end the game.

Murray’s touchdown pass to Marvin Harrison Jr. gave Arizona a 19-6 lead with 4:37 left in the third quarter. Darnold answered with his touchdown pass to Mundt on the next drive.

Murray was 31 of 45 with 260 passing yards, one touchdown pass and two interceptions. The other interception was thrown to Byron Murphy Jr.

Cardinals tight end Trey McBride led the team with 12 catches for 96 yards. Harrison had five catches for 60 yards.

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (18) catches a 15-yard touchdown pass over Minnesota Vikings cornerback Fabian Moreau in the second half. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

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Minnesota is now 10-2 this season. Arizona fell to 6-6.

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