Sam Darnold went from zero to hero in the NFL playoffs.
During his playoff debut in the 2024 NFL season with the Minnesota Vikings, Darnold got wrecked by the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Wild Card Round, as he was intercepted once and got sacked nine times in a 27-9 loss. It was a tough loss that added to the doubts on whether the former USC Trojans star QB would ever win the Vince Lombardi Trophy.
Darnold proved that he could, as he is now officially a Super Bowl champion, having helped lead the Seattle Seahawks to the top of the football world. His first season with the Seahawks culminated in Sunday’s 29-13 victory at Super Bowl LX over the New England Patriots at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif.
Not only did Darnold silence his detractors, but he also did so in historic fashion.
According to OptaSTATS, Darnold is the first quarterback ever in the history of the NFL “to lose his first career playoff start by double digits but then come back and win the Super Bowl the very next year.”
Against the Pats, the 28-year-old Darnold went just 19-of-38 for 202 passing yards and a touchdown, but he was not intercepted and got sacked just once.
With Seattle’s rushing attack and defense doing the heavy lifting, Darnold did not have to be spectacular under center, as the Seahawks took home their first Super Bowl title since the 2013 season.