Vikings 30, Bears 12
SAM DARNOLD: I feel like we didn't play exactly the way we could on offense tonight. It could be a lot better in a lot of ways, but we got the job done. That's all that matters.
Q. The deep pass to Addison, did you see it?
A. He had a step on him. I just tried to get it out there as much as I could. I knew he was one-on-one and just tried to get him a shot.
Q. What has Jordan done well the last four games or so?
A. Jordan Addison? I think Jordan, first and foremost, he's putting in a ton of work on the field and off the field during the week to be able to put himself in good positions on Sunday, Monday, whatever day we play.
I feel like just the way that he's been coming into work has been -- he's just been a pro. You know, this whole entire year he's been a pro, but to see it coming to fruition and see him just do well, it's really fun to watch.
Q. Justin dropping the pass or maybe things that didn't go your way, he was talking in the locker room about just how short of a memory you have to have, and you do that very, very well. What is the key to that for you, you know, when you are pressing because you found him right there on the goal line and set up the touchdown?
A. I think this game happens fast. Every play is its own, and you are always going to have opportunities to make big plays, especially with the offense that we have, the players that we have.
You just have to play every play as it's own, and especially first and second down. If it's not there, get the ball out of my hands to my checkdowns, but understanding if those guys are one-on-one in the situation, to be able to go make a play, I'm going to get them the rock, and they know that too.
So it's fun playing with those guys, but yeah, I think for me the biggest thing is just continuing to play one play at a time. Not just for me, but our entire offense.
Q. What did you think of Aaron's effort on the third and 17 and T.J.'s on the third and 15?
A. Yeah, unbelievable. Those guys to be able to be in the spots that they were in and just be a really good presence on a checkdown. To be able to go and get that first down the way that they did on those two plays was very crucial in the game.
Q. Just to be able to finish two drives, the one-yard runs, how much does that change things on a night where you are maybe not hitting everything offensively that you want, but you're able to finish the seven and out three?
A. Yeah, again, that's the NFL. Some nights aren't going to go necessarily the way that you want, but I think for us to continue to stay composed, stay resilient like we always talk about, and just continue to take it one drive at a time, one play at a time.
I feel like we did that on those two drives. To be able to finish in the end zone is always huge for our football team.
Q. In order to handle success well like you guys have, how important is the locker room presence? Let's not look to the No. 1 seed. Let's just stay where our feet are, but that starts with (indiscernible)?
A. Yeah, for sure. I think to be able to come in, it starts with K.O. obviously as well, being able to second that message to us. We've talked about it all the time. We talked about it ever since really OTAs. I feel like our guys have been doing a good job of attacking what's in front of us. We're just going to continue to do that.
Q. Last night you guys actually clinched last night after the Sunday night game. Did you take a second to absorb that at all before getting back to getting ready for this one?
A. You know, I think for us it truly is -- it's great, first and foremost, to be able to recognize it during the night, and to be able to be with some of my teammates when that happened, that's special in that moment.
But to be able to wake up today and know that we have a job to do, you know, that's the best part about our team. We can enjoy moments like that and be mature enough to be able to come into work today and get the job done.
Q. What was the celebration like, if there was one last night?
A. There wasn't. We just talked about it for literally like I think five minutes. I think that was about the celebration that we had last night, so...
Q. What did you think of just the atmosphere tonight with the white-out and the towels and all of that stuff?
A. Yeah, I mean, I say it every single week. Our fans are the best in the world. To be able to come out in all white the way that they did and how loud they were on some of the third downs for the defense were crucial. Creating a couple of false starts for their offense. It's always great to be able to play in front of our fans.
Q. Do you feel like the Bears were defending you guys differently at all than three weeks ago?
A. I thought they showed a couple of different looks, but again, we got to go back and watch the tape. I'll probably wait to answer that one if you want to ask it again on Wednesday.
Q. (Indiscernible) He said he felt like they put eight pounds of tape on his knee out there. To have him back out there was awesome for you.
A. It was unbelievable. What a gutsy performance, like you said, by B.O. to be able to -- I'm sure he was in a lot of pain. To be to go out there and finish and just be the leader that he is, be super tough and be that guy. It was great to have him out there at the end.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports