Dave Portnoy gives brutal verdict on Sam Darnold's abysmal performance as Rams crush Vikings quarterback in wildcard win
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In the midst of a disheartening performance in the NFC Wild Card game, Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy eviscerated Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold. Throughout the regular season, Darnold's story of a backup quarterback that took the Vikings to a 14-3 record was inspirational as the Minnesota signal caller was able to overcome expectations and take his team to the playoffs.
![[Portnoy put out a series of tweets criticizing Darnold during his losing effort in the playoffs]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/14/04/94064281-14281239-image-a-63_1736829864122.jpg)
But it was in their first playoff game against the Los Angeles Rams that the Vikings quarterback laid an egg as Darnold could not handle the pressure of the LA pass rush and was unable to make significant gains on offense. Portnoy took to X, formerly Twitter, and slammed Darnold's performance on the evening.
![[Darnold was sacked nine times, tying a record for most sacks a QB has taken in a playoff game]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/14/04/94064311-14281239-image-a-64_1736829878105.jpg)
Some of that anger might have been because he placed an $11,000 five-leg parlay bet on the game - with one of the legs requiring Vikings wide receiver to score a touchdown at any point in the game (which did not happen). '3 weeks ago people were asking whether JJ McCarthy was on the market. What a difference a couple weeks make. Darnold looks horrific again,' Portnoy posted on Monday evening.
![[One of those sacks was a strip sack (above), leading to a fumble recovered for a touchdown]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/14/04/94064307-14281239-image-a-65_1736829881016.jpg)
Barstool Sports' Dave Portnoy ripped into Vikings QB Sam Darnold after his rough performance. Portnoy put out a series of tweets criticizing Darnold during his losing effort in the playoffs. Darnold wasn't supposed to start this season after the Vikings selected McCarthy 11th overall in the NFL Draft out of the University of Michigan. Portnoy is a Michigan alum and a huge fan of the Wolverines' football team.
![[Darnold's counterpart, Matthew Stafford, struggled too - but completed two TD passes]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/14/04/94064285-14281239-image-a-66_1736829885078.jpg)
