Vikings 45, Falcons 21
SAM DARNOLD: Obviously, complete team effort out there. With the way things were going in the first half, kind of back and forth a little bit there, and then just the way that we were able to kind of pull away in that second half, our defense getting big turnovers, special teams coming up with the huge turnover in their end of the field. We were able to capitalize as an offense.
Big credit, obviously, to our offensive line. I feel like the way they played today was special. The way that they were able to give me time when needed was incredible. Obviously, everyone around me as well doing their part and our defense stepping up when we needed them. Just, like I said, complete team effort.
And it was a fun time in there today, man. Our fans came ready to roll, and that was a huge part of that win as well.
Q. Sam, what was it like for you to hear the chants of MVP as you're celebrating on the sideline?
A. Obviously, a lot of emotion there on the sideline. But with those things, the season is so -- it is what it is at the end of the day. MVP chants are great, but at the end of the day we've just got to continue to grow and get better. I thought there were a lot of things in the first half that we could get better at. So just got to continue to grow from everything today.
Q. Sam, when you were waving the towel, what was going through your head? The camera caught you.
A. Yeah, that was a lot of emotion for me. I was just excited, man. I feel like I couldn't just sit there just kind of stoic and just straight-faced. I feel like I had to show a little bit of emotion for the fans and give them what they wanted. So that was a special moment for me.
Q. How many times can you remember yourself doing that after a game? At any point in your college, whatever.
A. It's happened before, but very rarely. Very rarely does that happen.
Q. What was the reason for the occasion today?
A. Oh, you know, I just felt the buzz. And that was pure passion, pure joy. Just the way that we were able to kind of finish that game out and even our defense there at the end getting that huge stop. It was a fun game to be a part of.
Q. Having Jordan and J.J. both get over 100 yards, both finding the end zone a couple times, how nice was it to have that kind of production?
A. Obviously, they're really good players. So to be able to find them whenever I get a chance to is a benefit for the entire team.
Q. Jordan's ability to track down those deep balls and also just the complete route tree for him in his second season, how good do you feel about the way he's playing right now?
A. J.A. is playing a very high level of football right now. For him to just, early on in the season, just keeping his head down and continuing to work, I think that was the biggest thing for him. And obviously, if teams want to try to push a little bit of coverage over to Jets, we've got another guy to be able to make a play.
Q. Kevin talked a little bit about how he felt the offense grew up a lot today. Where did you see that happen over the course of the game?
A. Yeah, I think it was just -- like I kind of said in the beginning, kind of not really having our stride in the first half and then being able to come out and just play really, really good football, consistent football. Obviously, some things aren't going to go our way. We had a false start here and there. But being able to get back on track, put ourselves in really good down and distances and move the football down the field.
Q. Sam, was any part of that passion and emotion gratitude from the work you've put in? Because Kevin talked about how much you guys have put in this year and you've put in for a long time.
A. Yeah, that's a huge part of it. I think whenever I show passion, whenever our entire team shows passion on the field and it comes out as emotion, that is a huge testament to kind of the amount of work we put in. That's all it is. When you see it come to fruition, it's such a great feeling, and sometimes it's really hard to hide that.
So, yeah, it was just all-encompassing emotion on the field today. And like I continue to say, our fans, the way they were able to bring that energy today was incredible.
Q. What was your read and process on that second touchdown to Justin?
A. Which one was that? The scramble? Yeah, just they brought a really good pressure. Again, a lot of credit to Atlanta. The scheme that Raheem and those guys have over there is really tough to go against. Obviously, they got some really good dudes on the back end in Justin Simmons and Bates. Obviously, really good players all around the field as well.
So they brought a really good pressure that got home, and I was able to kind of make Justin miss a little bit. And just got out, scramble, and was able to find him down the field.
Q. When you get out of the scramble and you're looking downfield, did you see Justin down there waving his arm? What did you see downfield?
A. I did see him wave his arm, and that's kind of one of the first signs as a quarterback, I should probably throw this to him. And, yeah, it was a great play by him. I heard on the sideline that if I would have had time, he absolutely cooked the dude on the route that was called for him. And for him to be able to score on a play that he would have scored on if I had time anyways, that was awesome to see.
Q. Was this the most complete team performance? Defense gets a couple takeaways, the offense scores six touchdowns.
A. Yeah, it was a good team performance for sure. Again, like I said, I feel like the first half we could have played a lot better. But, yeah, I think the way that we finished it was outstanding.
Appreciate it, guys. Thanks.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports