He has been exactly what the Vikings needed as they aim for a 2-0 start to the 2024 season, and head coach Kevin O’Connell is quite proud. While it was anticipated that he would manage the team well, few expected him to excel to this extent.
Surprisingly, he currently ranks second in the NFL in touchdown passes after two weeks. In addition to his scoring prowess, he holds the fifth-best passer rating (111.8), has the third-highest yards-per-attempt average (9.5), and boasts the ninth-highest completion percentage (72.0%). Notably, he has achieved this while being the 12th-most pressured quarterback, facing pressure on 33.3% of his snaps.
General success at quarterback is crucial, but what aspects of his game could be pivotal against the Texans, who have notable players.
The Texans’ new pass-rushing duo, Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter, has been formidable, ranking second and fourth in pressure rates, respectively. Anderson Jr. has the sixth-fastest average get-off time (0.75 seconds) among edge rushers, contributing to his ranking tied for third in total pressures with 12, four of which occurred in under 2.5 seconds.
This presents a challenge for Vikings left tackle Christian Darrisaw, who hasn’t been at his usual level this season. Darrisaw faced tough competition in his first two games and struggled against pressures, allowing five against the 49ers, four of which came quickly.
So, how does this situation favor Darnold?
In short, it may not favor him much. Keeping a quarterback protected is always ideal. However, Darnold has shown remarkable composure under pressure this season. Despite being the 28th-most blitzed quarterback, he has excelled against the blitz, completing all eight of his attempts for 207 yards and three touchdowns. He’s the only QB in the NFL to achieve a perfect completion rate against the blitz with at least five attempts, tied for the most touchdown passes in such situations.
While Darnold’s success against the blitz is impressive, it doesn’t guarantee he’ll perform similarly against the Texans. The Texans rank third in the NFL in pressure rate (44.4%) while blitzing only 12th most frequently (27.8%), relying on a standard four-man rush at the second-highest rate (87%). This allows them to pressure the quarterback while still dropping more players into coverage.
Darnold’s performance against non-blitzing defenses raises questions. Without extra rushers, he has completed 28 of 42 passes (66.7%) for 269 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. This suggests he may face challenges against the Texans’ efficient pressure without the blitz.
Darnold’s ability to handle the blitz may not fully predict how he’ll fare against the Texans, but he certainly has the opportunity to maintain his effectiveness against a defense that generates pressure without overwhelming him with extra rushers.
