Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold was able to do enough to help the team eke out a victory over the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, 27-24.
It was a game both teams needed to win to keep pace in their respective division title races. Minnesota needed to match the Detroit Lions after they won earlier in the day and Seattle needed to win to match the Los Angeles Rams after they also won earlier in the day.
Seahawks veteran quarterback Geno Smith found A.J. Barner for a 4-yard touchdown pass to take the lead with 4:21 left. It was an 11-play drive that lasted more than six minutes.
Darnold responded. In just four plays, Darnold somehow found Justin Jefferson with two Seahawks defenders around him and snuck the ball through the tightest of windows. Jefferson caught it and ran into the end zone for a touchdown.
The 39-yard touchdown pass put the Vikings back up three points.
Seattle had a chance to tie the game. Jason Myers received an opportunity to give Seattle three points late with a 60-yard field goal try. But he was just a few yards short of making it and the Seahawks lost.
Darnold was 22-of-35 with 246 passing yards and three touchdown passes. Jefferson had two of those three touchdown passes and Jordan Addison had the other. Jefferson finished with 10 catches for 144 yards and Addison had five catches for 35 yards.
Smith was as remarkable as he could be. He finished 31-of-43 passing for 314 yards and three touchdown passes. Jaxon Smith-Njigba and DK Metcalf had the other touchdown passes.
Minnesota improved to 13-2 on the season. Seattle fell to 8-7.
Daniel Jones is no longer with the New York Giants, but that didn’t stop him from getting in the Christmas spirit with his former teammates.
Jones, currently a member of the Minnesota Vikings' practice squad, sent all the offensive lineman that were on the Giants with him a limited-edition bottle of Clase Azul tequila for Christmas, according to ESPN’s Jordan Raanan.
Jones, 27, was benched after the Giants' bye week and then asked for his release so he could sign with a contender for the rest of the season.
Jones was beloved by his Giants teammates in New York, many taking to social media to express their support for their former quarterback when he was released.
The Vikings signed Jones to their practice squad shortly after, giving Jones a chance to develop under head coach Kevin O’Connell.
It is commonplace for quarterbacks in the NFL to buy their offensive lineman gifts for Christmas as a thank-you for blocking for them.
However, it is not common for quarterbacks to buy gifts for their former teammates after joining a new team.
Since releasing Jones, the Giants have started Tommy DeVito and Drew Lock at quarterback.
The Giants are 2-12 and, with each loss, are getting closer to landing the No. 1 overall pick in next year’s NFL Draft, where they hope to select their next franchise quarterback.
Jones’ Vikings are in much better shape. The Detroit Lions and Vikings are both 12-2 with an eye on not only winning the NFC North but securing the No. 1 seed in the NFC.
The 2012 NFL MVP has warrants out for his arrest, according to USA Today, for failing to appear in court for two different child support cases.
The warrants were issued in Fort Bend County in Texas, USA Today reported. Its sheriff's department did not immediately confirm this information to Fox News Digital.
"The current legal case is related to a misunderstanding regarding Adrian’s court appearances as it relates to child support, and he is actively working with his legal team to resolve this matter as quickly as possible," his publicist, Denise White, said in a statement to USA Today. "He is committed to clearing up this situation and moving forward positively."
Despite earning over $100 million in his career, the former Minnesota Vikings running back has also been in trouble with bank loans. Court records in February said Peterson had not paid any of the $8.3 million he owed to DeAngelo Vehicle Sales LLC, which he was ordered to pay over three years earlier. He was ordered to pay a creditor $2.4 million in 2019 and had to pay a Minnesota bank the year prior.
Peterson missed all but one game in the 2014 season after his indictment on charges of reckless or negligent injury to a child. He pleaded no contest to assaulting his son, 4 years old at the time, with a tree branch.
In 2022, Peterson was arrested after an incident with his wife on a plane. But his wife said it was only an argument, and charges were dropped.
Peterson rushed for 14,918 yards in his career, leading the league in rushing three times. He's one of six running backs to rush for 2,000 yards in a season and was eight yards shy of breaking Eric Dickerson's single-season record in 2012.
He does, though, hold the record with 296 rushing yards in one game, which he accomplished in his rookie season. He ran for 253 of those yards in the second half.
The Minnesota Vikings made quick work of Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears on Monday night and extended their winning streak to seven games to get into a tie for first in the division.
The Vikings defense sacked Caleb Williams twice and held them to only one 3rd down conversion on 11 drives as they won the game, 30-12.
Randy Moss was on the mind of the Vikings faithful throughout the night. Cris Carter and Jake Reed led tributes to the Pro Football Hall of Famer after he revealed a cancer diagnosis last week. It was only fitting that Justin Jefferson send a get well soon message to Moss early in the game.
Jefferson caught his eighth touchdown pass of the season. It was a 7-yard grab from Sam Darnold. He finished with seven catches for 73 yards.
Darnold was 24-of-40 for 231 yards, a touchdown pass and an interception.
Minnesota had it going in the ground game. Aaron Jones ran for 86 yards and a touchdown and Cam Akers had 24 yards and a touchdown.
Miscues and defensive pressure were the story of the night.
The Bears had a legitimate chance to get back into the game in the third quarter. Bears running back D’Andre Swift ran for what was thought to be a touchdown but it was nullified after offensive lineman Doug Kramer failed to report in with officials before the snap.
Two plays later, a holding call moved the Bears from the 1-yard line to the 11-yard line. Williams threw two consecutive incompletions and the Bears were forced to kick a field goal.
The momentum stopped there. Chicago only got two 12 points thanks to a late touchdown pass from Williams to Keenan Allen. But there was not much offense from there.
Williams was 18-of-31 with 191 passing yards. Allen had six catches for 82 yards.
Minnesota moved to 12-2 on the season, wrapping up its second 12-win season in the last three years.
Chicago fell to 4-10 with its sights set on an offseason of moving and shaking.
Randy Moss was on the mind of some fellow Minnesota Vikings greats on Monday night after the former NFL superstar announced he was diagnosed with cancer last week.
Pro Football Hall of Famer Cris Carter and former Vikings star Jake Reed walked onto the field holding up a Moss jersey.
"Let’s Moss cancer," the public address announcer at U.S. Bank Stadium said.
The two players held up the jersey as the officials conducted the coin toss with each team’s captains at midfield.
In the first quarter, Vikings star Justin Jefferson caught a touchdown pass from Sam Darnold. He looked into the camera and yelled, "We love you Randy! That was for you."
Moss said Friday he was a "cancer survivor" and added that he spent six days in the hospital and underwent surgery. He thanked his team of doctors and all those who prayed for him.
"I am a cancer survivor," Moss said. "Some trying times, but we made it through."
Moss said doctors found cancer in his bile duct "right between the pancreas and the liver."
"I didn't think I would ever be in this position, as healthy as I thought I was."
Moss stepped away from his role as an analyst on ESPN’s "Sunday NFL Countdown" earlier this month.
"As soon as I get healthy to get back out with guys, I will be on set. ... Hopefully I can be with you guys soon," Moss said.
"My goal is to get back on television with my team."
The 47-year-old Moss was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2018 after playing 14 seasons with the Vikings (1998-2004, 2010), Oakland Raiders (2005-06), New England Patriots (2007-10), Tennessee Titans (2010) and San Francisco 49ers (2012).
Moss is second in NFL history with 156 touchdown catches and had an NFL-record 23 touchdown receptions in 2007 for the Patriots.
Fox News’ Jackson Thompson contributed to this report.
Randy Moss was on the mind of some fellow Minnesota Vikings greats on Monday night after the former NFL superstar announced he was diagnosed with cancer last week.
Pro Football Hall of Famer Cris Carter and former Vikings star Jake Reed walked onto the field holding up a Moss jersey.
"Let’s Moss cancer," the public address announcer at U.S. Bank Stadium said.
The two players held up the jersey as the officials conducted the coin toss with each team’s captains at midfield.
In the first quarter, Vikings star Justin Jefferson caught a touchdown pass from Sam Darnold. He looked into the camera and yelled, "We love you Randy! That was for you."
Moss said Friday he was a "cancer survivor" and added that he spent six days in the hospital and underwent surgery. He thanked his team of doctors and all those who prayed for him.
"I am a cancer survivor," Moss said. "Some trying times, but we made it through."
Moss said doctors found cancer in his bile duct "right between the pancreas and the liver."
"I didn't think I would ever be in this position, as healthy as I thought I was."
Moss stepped away from his role as an analyst on ESPN’s "Sunday NFL Countdown" earlier this month.
"As soon as I get healthy to get back out with guys, I will be on set. ... Hopefully I can be with you guys soon," Moss said.
"My goal is to get back on television with my team."
The 47-year-old Moss was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2018 after playing 14 seasons with the Vikings (1998-2004, 2010), Oakland Raiders (2005-06), New England Patriots (2007-10), Tennessee Titans (2010) and San Francisco 49ers (2012).
Moss is second in NFL history with 156 touchdown catches and had an NFL-record 23 touchdown receptions in 2007 for the Patriots.
Fox News’ Jackson Thompson contributed to this report.
The football community has rallied around NFL legend Randy Moss after the former wide receiver announced he had been diagnosed with cancer, during an Instagram livestream Friday.
Moss said he had spent six days in the hospital undergoing surgery. The former Minnesota Vikings and New England Patriots wide receiver said the doctors had found cancer in his bile duct, "right between the pancreas and the liver."
"I am a cancer survivor," Moss said. "Some trying times, but we made it through."
NFL Hall of Famer Randy Moss revealed to fans in an Instagram livestream Friday he was diagnosed with cancer.
During the livestream, Moss said he's a "cancer survivor," adding he spent six days in the hospital and underwent surgery. He thanked his team of doctors and all those who prayed for him.
"I am a cancer survivor," Moss said. "Some trying times, but we made it through."
Moss said doctors found cancer in his bile duct "right between the pancreas and the liver."
Moss was revealed to be stepping away from ESPN's "Sunday NFL Countdown" for an extended time to focus on a personal health challenge earlier in December in a statement from ESPN.
"(Moss) briefly addressed the matter at the start of the show on Dec. 1. For nearly a decade, Randy has been an invaluable member of the team, consistently elevating ‘Countdown’ with his insight and passion. He has ESPN’s full support, and we look forward to welcoming him back when he is ready," ESPN’s statement said.
Moss revealed last week he was battling an illness.
"I just wanted to let the viewers know that me and my wife and my family are battling something internally. I have some great doctors around me. I couldn’t miss the show. I wanted to be here with you guys," Moss said during last week's ESPN’s "Sunday NFL Countdown."
"I feel great. But if you see me with these ‘Michigan turnover glasses’ that I have on, it’s not being disrespectful because I’m on television. It’s because I’m battling something. I need all the prayer warriors. God bless you all. Thanks for the prayers."
During FOX NFL Sunday, several of Moss' ex-New England Patriots teammates, including Tom Brady, shared their support for Moss.
"One of the all-time great teammates and friends, in touch to this day," Brady said during FOX's broadcast. "Our heart obviously is with you, our prayers, all our positive energy. We love you so much, man."
Rob Gronkowski added: "We're thinking about you, Randy. We love you, man."
The 47-year-old Moss was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2018 after playing 14 seasons with the Minnesota Vikings (1998-2004, 2010), Oakland Raiders (2005-06), New England Patriots (2007-10), Tennessee Titans (2010) and San Francisco 49ers (2012).
Moss is second in NFL history with 156 touchdown catches and had an NFL-record 23 TD receptions in 2007 for the Patriots.
As one former New York quarterback thrives in Minnesota, another stands on the sidelines now in a position he never thought he would be in after being drafted sixth overall in 2019.
Daniel Jones' time with the New York Giants ended unceremoniously when he was released after a 2-8 start this season, leaving him to find a new home in the NFL for the first time in six years.
Weighing his options, Jones decided to take the Minnesota Vikings' practice squad quarterback role, calling it an "awesome opportunity" to work with head coach Kevin O'Connell and starter Sam Darnold, the ex-New York Jet whose career has been revitalized this season.
Could that be what Jones is looking for with the Vikings after watching Darnold regain his confidence and lead a team to an 11-2 record?
Vikings legend Kyle Rudolph, an ex-teammate of Jones' during their year together with the Giants, said that could be the plan after spending time with Jones two weekends ago before, during and after the team's win over the Arizona Cardinals.
"He’s excited to be in that environment in Minnesota," Rudolph told Fox News Digital while also touching on his surprise at two Minnesota military veterans after teaming up with Polaris and Call of Duty in Week 13. "To be around Kevin O’Connell, Josh McCown, the quarterbacks coach, to be able to kind of take a back seat and learn and really try to reestablish himself as a top-10 pick. A good quarterback in this league and a guy who, by the way, won a playoff game in that building and went to the divisional round."
Jones broke out in that 2022 season that Rudolph referenced, which included the Wild Card Round victory on the road at U.S. Bank Stadium against the Kirk Cousins-led Vikings. It ultimately led to a decision from the Giants to extend Jones long term, believing he had proved himself worthy of a new contract to remain the team's franchise quarterback.
That didn't work out, however, as the Giants released him this season before they had the opportunity to opt out of his deal. Meanwhile, Saquon Barkley, who was franchise-tagged after Jones got his big deal, is having an MVP season with the Philadelphia Eagles in his first year after walking in free agency.
But while the Giants stew over their next quarterback amid a terrible campaign, Jones perhaps has found new life in Minnesota.
"What’s to keep DJ from being next year’s Baker Mayfield [or] Sam Darnold?" Rudolph said.
"It’s a huge reason why he chose to go to Minnesota, knowing that there might be an opportunity for me in the future."
For Darnold, he signed a one-year, prove-it deal with the Vikings this past offseason, knowing it would be a quarterback competition with rookie J.J. McCarthy, the team's first-rounder out of Michigan. But when McCarthy went down with a knee injury, Darnold knew he needed to step up for the Vikings all season, not just Week 1 when he won the starting job out of training camp.
He's done just that with an 11-2 record through 13 games while putting up career numbers. Remember, this is a quarterback who flopped as the third overall pick with the New York Jets, couldn't stick with the Carolina Panthers and was in the same role Jones is now with the San Francisco 49ers in 2023.
Meanwhile, Mayfield was also in Carolina with Darnold after his tenure as the first overall pick and hopeful savior of the Cleveland Browns flamed out. Mayfield bounced around the NFL until the Bucs gave him a similar deal in 2023 that Darnold has now. Mayfield not only proved he could win in Tampa Bay – he beat the Eagles in the Wild Card Round on his home turf, solidifying his role as the team's franchise quarterback – he got a three-year, $100 million extension to show for it.
Rudolph said Darnold has earned that big extension with more games still to play, and Jones could do the same with the Vikings, a team Rudolph doesn't think would want to spend big bucks on Darnold, knowing that McCarthy is waiting in the wings.
"In today’s world, these young quarterbacks don’t have to play in their first two years," Rudolph said. "J.J.’s going through what he’s going through with his knee injury, and ultimately, yes, they’ll compete if DJ decides to stay there next year. He has a great opportunity to go out, and it just takes one year."
For now, though, Rudolph knows Jones is itching to get back on the field, but he's playing his role well in his first few weeks with Minnesota.
"I think the biggest challenge for DJ is he’s always been the man. He was the sixth overall pick and quarterback for the New York Giants," Rudolph said. "This past Sunday, he watched the game from the sidelines as the practice squad quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings. That’s not easy. As a competitor, I know talking to him, he was like, ‘Man, I just felt useless standing there basically watching a game.’ It’s part of the process."
GIVING BACK TO VETERANS
Rudolph got to watch Darnold & Co. collect their Week 13 win over the Arizona Cardinals in the Twin Cities, where he also surprised two Minnesota veterans with Polaris RZR Pro R vehicles during the Dec. 1 Salute to Service game.
Rudolph leveraged his fundraising platform, Alltroo, and teamed up with Polaris and Call of Duty for this special surprise.
"Two Minnesota native Marine Corps gentlemen, they almost felt like they were undeserving of such an incredible honor because they’re like, ‘There’s so many others who have done what I’ve done and deserve it more than I do.’ They couldn’t believe that they were the two who were chosen to receive these Polaris RZRs," Rudolph said.
The veterans also played the brand-new "Call of Duty Black Ops 6" video game with Vikings defenders Pat Jones II and Ivan Pace Jr.
And through March 1, 2025, Rudolph said football fans can enter at Alltroo for a chance to win a Polaris RZR Pro R through donations that benefit Call of Duty Endowment, a program that helps place veterans in high-quality careers and supports veteran well-being.
When Kirk Cousins walked in free agency to the Atlanta Falcons, the Minnesota Vikings' future at the quarterback position was a giant question mark.
How would Kevin O'Connell's high-octane passing offense work if there wasn't a solid signal caller to lead the way? Well, they drafted a potential franchise quarterback in J.J. McCarthy out of Michigan in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, and brought in veteran Sam Darnold as competition in training camp.
It was thought when camp began that McCarthy would win the job, but even before suffering a knee injury that ended his rookie campaign before it started, O'Connell chose Darnold as his Week 1 starter.
The decision was one that not only boosted the Vikings' playoff hopes, but rejuvenated Darnold's NFL career.
Through 13 games this season, the Vikings are 11-2, a position not many believed they would be in with Darnold at the helm all season long due to McCarthy's injury. However, he quickly showed the football world why the New York Jets took him third overall out of USC in 2018 – he's a straight baller that's in the right scheme.
But one Vikings legend presents a harsh reality for those fans hoping Darnold will return after this season (he's only a one-year deal).
"I think it’s going to be really tough, and the reason why I think it’s going to be really tough is Sam’s earned himself a legitimate quarterback contract in this league," Vikings great tight end Kyle Rudolph told Fox News Digital while also touching on his surprise to two Minnesota military veterans after teaming up with Polaris and Call of Duty in Week 13.
Rudolph is with other Vikings fans that believe Darnold should be back, but the reality is he’s earned a lucrative deal through these 13 games and the stats prove it.
Darnold is sixth in the NFL in passing yards (3,299), tied third in passing touchdowns (28), seventh in completion percentage (68.4%) and third in quarterback rating (108.1). He’s proving he can be an elite quarterback in the right system, but are the Vikings willing to shell out $40 million-plus per season?
Rudolph likened the situation to Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, as he earned himself a three-year deal worth $100 million this past offseason after leading them to the playoffs in 2023.
The difference between Tampa Bay and Minnesota is the former didn't have a high draft pick spent on a quarterback when the season began.
"If you’re Sam Darnold, you came to Minnesota and played your one-year, $10 million contract. You now deserve that big deal," Rudolph said. "I don’t think it’s in the Vikings’ best interest when you look at the rest of their roster. They can’t afford to go out and spend $40 million on a quarterback. That’s why Kirk [Cousins] is in Atlanta right now and not the starting quarterback of the Minnesota Vikings.
"Unfortunately, it’s a part of the game that’s tough, and you got to make decisions based on the salary cap and you’re paying a receiver $35 million. It’s really hard to pay the best receiver in football, who deserves every dime he’s got, and then turn around and pay a quarterback $40-plus million a year."
That receiver is Justin Jefferson, who is now the highest-paid hideout in the NFL after receiving his extension worth $35 million over the next five seasons. Darnold has developed quite the rapport with Jefferson through 13 games, as he has with Jordan Addison, T.J. Hockenson and Aaron Jones, the other weapons on offense.
Darnold is comfortable, poised and a true leader on game day, which is everything you want in a quarterback. But, as you’ve likely heard many times, this is a business, and Darnold has made the decision very tough for Minnesota moving forward.
Until that decision is made, Rudolph will continue rooting for Darnold, who has bounced around the Jets, Carolina Panthers and San Francisco 49ers until he finally found a home where he can thrive.
Perhaps it’s where he ultimately wants to stay, but will the contract match his worth?
GIVING BACK TO VETERANS
Rudolph got to watch Darnold & Co. collect their Week 13 win over the Arizona Cardinals in the Twin Cities, where he also surprised two Minnesota veterans with Polaris RZR Pro R vehicles during the Dec. 1 Salute to Service Game.
Rudolph, leveraging his fundraising platform Altroo, teamed up with Polaris and Call of Duty for this special surprise.
"Two Minnesota native Marine Corps gentlemen, they almost felt like they were undeserving of such an incredible honor because they’re like, ‘There’s so many others who have done what I’ve done and deserve it more than I do.’ They couldn’t believe that they were the two who were chosen to receive these Polaris RZRs," Rudolph said.
The veterans also played the brand-new Call of Duty Black Ops 6 game with Vikings defenders Pat Jones II and Ivan Pace Jr.
And through March 1, 2025, Rudolph pointed out that football fans can enter at Altroo for a chance to win a Polaris RZR Pro R through donations that benefit the Call of Duty Endowment, a program that helps place veterans in high-quality careers and supports veteran well-being.
Kirk Cousins may have been back at U.S. Bank Stadium, the place he called home with the Minnesota Vikings for six seasons, but his Atlanta Falcons were no match for his replacement at quarterback.
Sam Darnold threw five touchdown passes and over 300 yards to thrash the Falcons, 42-21, to move the Vikings to 11-2 on the season.
Darnold was 22-of-28 for 347 yards with his five scores, while Cousins, though he threw for 344 yards, had no touchdowns and two interceptions.
Cousins has been struggling with turnovers in recent weeks, as he had four interceptions last week in the loss to the Los Angeles Chargers and had one in each of the previous two games.
But this game began with a master class from the Falcons, going 11 plays and 70 yards to see Tyler Allgeier score the game’s first touchdown.
However, a turnover-on-downs on the second Falcons drive ultimately flipped the momentum as Darnold’s first touchdown pass was a broken play to Jordan Addison, who scored three of those five touchdowns, as he caught a 49-yard bomb and walked into the end zone to tie the game after the extra point.
A few drives later, Darnold zipped a pass to Justin Jefferson for a 12-yard score – his first since Week 7, which seems crazy to think about considering he’s the team’s top receiver.
But Darnold wouldn’t just find Jefferson once. Yet another broken play came, this time in the second half, where he walked in as well from 52 yards out.
Addison led the game with 133 receiving yards on eight receptions, but Jefferson was right behind with 132 yards on seven catches.
The Vikings put the game away in the fourth quarter, as they outscored the Falcons 21-0, which included an Aaron Jones touchdown. Jones had 73 yards on 13 carries on the day.
For the Falcons, Bijan Robinson was able to find the end zone as well as leading the game with 92 rushing yards on 22 carries.
Darnell Mooney was Cousins’ top target with 142 yards on just six catches, while Ray-Ray McCloud had 98 yards on eight receptions.
Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones said after his latest two-fumble game against the Arizona Cardinals, his mom was calling for him to get benched.
The Pro Bowl running back has struggled with ball security in his first season with the Vikings. Four of his last five fumbles have come in the last three games since his return from a rib injury.
In Sunday’s narrow victory over the Cardinals, Jones fumbled twice on the first play of each of Minnesota's first two drives.
Head coach Kevin O'Connell expressed his vote of confidence in Jones, but according to Jones, his mom seemingly disagreed.
"She said, 'They needed to sit you down,’" he said Thursday, recalling the conversation he had with his mother, Vurgess Jones, after last week’s game.
"She was like, 'I don't know what's going on, but they need to take him out the game. They need to bench him right now.' Anytime I hear it from my mom, it's going to be worse."
Jones admitted that he was a bit speechless at his mother’s candor.
"I was like, 'Ah, you know, I gotta learn from it.’ She was like, 'Well, you didn't learn last week?'
"I kind of didn’t know what to say," he said laughing. "But it’s what I need. You know, my mom being hard on me – that was my dad for so many years, my dad's not here so now my mom’s kind of taken that role over without me asking her."
Sunday’s victory over the Cardinals marked Minnesota’s fifth straight. Jones said he has reviewed the film and hopes to improve before this weekend’s heavily anticipated matchup against former quarterback Kirk Cousins and the Atlanta Falcons.
Pro Football Hall of Famer Randy Moss is stepping away from ESPN's "Sunday NFL Countdown" for an extended time to focus on a personal health challenge, the network said in a statement on Friday.
"(Moss) briefly addressed the matter at the start of the show on Dec. 1. For nearly a decade, Randy has been an invaluable member of the team, consistently elevating Countdown with his insight and passion. He has ESPN’s full support, and we look forward to welcoming back when he is ready," ESPN’s statement said.
Moss, 47, revealed last week that he was battling an illness as he addressed why he was wearing glasses.
"I just wanted to let the viewers know that me and my wife and my family are battling something internally. I have some great doctors around me. I couldn’t miss the show. I wanted to be here with you guys," Moss said during last week's ESPN’s "Sunday NFL Countdown."
"I feel great. But if you see me with these ‘Michigan turnover glasses’ that I have on, it’s not being disrespectful because I’m on television. It’s because I’m battling something. I need all the prayer warriors. God bless you all. Thanks for the prayers."
The former Minnesota Vikings and New England Patriots star wide receiver did not say what he was specifically dealing with.
Moss worked through the show with the illness last week, as his ESPN co-hosts Mike Greenberg, Rex Ryan, Alex Smith and Tedy Bruschi wore glasses with him.
"It’s beautifully said. All for one and one for all. If he’s wearing glasses, we’re all wearing glasses today," Greenberg said.
Moss played 14 seasons in the NFL and is second in the Vikings' all-time receiving yards with 9,316 yards.
The six-time Pro Bowler and four-time All-Pro will turn 48 in February.
The Minnesota Vikings are 10-2 with an offense not many teams want to face.
Quarterback Sam Darnold has had a resurgent season, receiver Justin Jefferson is dominant and tight end T.J. Hockenson is looking healthier as the season progresses.
With an improved defense, these aren't the Minnesota Vikings of the past, where all an opponent had to do was turn them over a couple times for a victory.
That's why cornerback Stephon Gilmore has high hopes for this team, especially with Darnold at the controls.
"He’s been doing a great job. He always had great talent. He’s definitely leading our team to places that we want to go. Hopefully, he can keep it up and keep getting better," Gilmore told Fox News Digital in a recent interview. "I’m excited. We can do something special this year."
The Vikings are Gilmore's fifth team in as many seasons, but he has already had an impact on and off the field. When he's not batting passes away from top receivers, he's giving back to the community.
Gilmore partnered with He Gets Us Tuesday to host "Steph's Santa Workshop," an event benefiting more than 100 children with gifts and Vikings merchandise.
"It’s my first event in Minnesota. I always wanted to give back to the community. It’s a great opportunity to give back on this Thanksgiving Tuesday. I was able to do great things with He Gets Us, and I’m excited for this opportunity," Gilmore said.
"Everywhere I went, I always gave back. I tell people all the time. No matter where you come from, no matter how you grew up, if you ever get an opportunity to give back and help kids out and be there for kids, hopefully, they remember those moments, and they can do the same when they get older."
Despite the impressive record, some observers have their doubts about the Vikings. It wasn't that long ago when the Vikings were 13-4 with a high-octane offense but lost to the New York Giants in the first round of the playoffs.
Gilmore hears the naysayers, but he said head coach Kevin O'Connell adds fuel to their fire.
"Coach tells us every week, ‘Nobody believes in us.’ Just gotta keep proving to everyone we’re a really good team. As long as we do that, everything will fall into place," Gilmore said.
The Vikings will have a familiar opponent in their stadium this weekend, when Kirk Cousins and the Atlanta Falcons come to town.
Trevor Lawrence was knocked out of Sunday's game after taking a hit to the head by Azeez Al-Shaair.
Al-Shaair was suspended three games for the hit that was widely deemed dirty. However, the Houston Texans linebacker said he had no ill-intent, and general manager Nick Caseio called the treatment of the defender "bulls---."
Minnesota Vikings cornerback Stephon Gilmore would not go that far, but in a recent interview with Fox News Digital, he noted that it is a difficult circumstance.
"You never want to see someone get hit like that. It’s kind of tricky sometimes with quarterbacks running, trying to get first downs, and then sliding at the last second, I see both sides," he said.
Gilmore seemed to agree that defenders almost never get the benefit of the doubt on those bang-bang plays that happen in the blink of an eye.
"It’s hard – some quarterbacks slide early, sometimes you try to get a first down so they get aggressive," he said. "You don’t know when to pull back and go for the tackle, so it’s tricky."
Gilmore's comments echo what Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans said about the ordeal, who even said the Jaguars players overreacted.
"But it’s also – it’s twofold, right? I mean a lot of the quarterbacks in this day and age. They try to take advantage of the rule where they slide late, and they try to get an extra yard, and now you’re a defender, a lot of onus is on the defender whether it’s on the sideline or whether it’s on the quarterback, you don’t know what a guy thinking," Ryans said. "You don’t know if a guy is standing up and he’s continuing to run, you don’t know, and then you get a late slide, and you’re – you hit the guy.
"Unfortunate that Trevor got hurt. Hope Trevor is OK, but it’s also, if we’re sliding, we have to get down. If we’re getting out of bounds, we get out of bounds and that rule is there to protect the quarterbacks, and we want our quarterbacks to be safe in the league, so we just have to be safe. If we’re sliding, make sure we’re keeping our heads down. And the entire thing is Azeez – he hits the guy, but their sideline overreacts, and it turns into a melee.
"It wasn’t our guys. It’s their team overreacted, pushed our guy, dragging our guy to the sideline, so that’s uncalled for on that side. We have to be better on the sidelines, as well, with both teams."
Jon Runyan, NFL vice president of football operations, said Al-Shaair's actions after the hit, and other dirty plays, contributed to his penalty.
Lawrence posted on X on Sunday night that he was "home and feeling better."
Sam Darnold has become the unlikely star of the 2024 season as the Minnesota Vikings notched their third 10-win season in six years with a close victory over the Arizona Cardinals.
Darnold, a castoff quarterback who was likely set to be a backup at some point over the year to J.J. McCarthy before the rookie was injured, staked his claim on Sunday as the man to beat for Comeback Player of the Year.
He took the Vikings down the field on an eight-play, 70-yard drive that ended with a 5-yard touchdown pass to Aaron Jones. Minnesota took the lead 23-22 with 1:13 left in the game and won by the same score.
Darnold was 21-of-31 with 235 passing yards and two touchdown passes. The pass to Jones solidified the biggest comeback of Darnold’s career. The other touchdown pass went to Johnny Mundt.
"There's no other place I'd rather play; just so grateful to be a Viking," the veteran quarterback told FOX’s Pam Oliver after the game.
Darnold was a backup to Brock Purdy with the San Francisco 49ers last year and is on the verge of getting Minnesota back to the playoffs.
Minnesota cornerback Shaquil Griffin picked off Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray to end the game.
Murray’s touchdown pass to Marvin Harrison Jr. put Arizona up 19-6 with 4:37 left in the third quarter. Darnold answered with his touchdown pass to Mundt on the next drive.
Murray was 31-of-45 with 260 passing yards, a touchdown pass and two interceptions. The other interception was thrown to Byron Murphy Jr.
Cardinals tight end Trey McBride led the team with 12 catches for 96 yards. Harrison had five catches for 60 yards.
Daniel Jones opened up this week about his decision to sign with the Minnesota Vikings as a backup quarterback after he was released by the New York Giants following his own request.
Speaking to reporters on Friday for the first time since giving a farewell speech to the media in New York, Jones sounded enthusiastic about joining a new team and working under head coach Kevin O’Connell.
"Excited to be here, excited to be a Minnesota Viking – awesome opportunity. Just looking to help out and be a part of this team. We’ve got some great momentum going and just want to help out in any way I can."
Jones signed with the Vikings as a backup behind Sam Darnold, another former New York quarterback who left the city on a sour note after his tenure with the Jets ended.
When asked why Minnesota was the right fit among other teams searching for help at the quarterback position, Jones pointed specifically to the success the offense has seen this season.
"I think you look at, offensively, what they’ve been able to do. I think the system, coach O’Connell, his staff – just a lot of good things happening across the board as a team, as an organization, but on offense especially. Just excited to join that and help out wherever I can."
In his sixth season with the Giants, Jones requested to be released after he was benched in favor of third-string quarterback and fan-favorite, Tommy DeVito, which followed their 20-17 loss to the Carolina Panthers.
The Giants are 0-2 since parting ways, but Jones seems to have put the past to rest.
"It’s been a crazy last couple of weeks, for sure. Certainly a lot going on. At the end of the day, I’m excited to be here. This is an awesome opportunity," he said on Friday. "I’m looking forward to learning the system and building relationships with these guys and helping the team."
Kirk Cousins was among the quarterbacks featured in Netflix's "Quarterback" docuseries last year, which offered an unprecedented look into the life of an NFL quarterback during the season.
Cousins, 36, was asked if there was a change in how people viewed him after the docuseries was released during a recent appearance on Barstool Sports’ "Pardon My Take."
"My wife was kind of the star of the show besides Patrick Mahomes, and she definitely gets recognized a lot more, which is fun. And I think people getting to know me is what’s really fun about it, because you don’t get a chance for your fans to get to know you just playing for the team," Cousins said.
"They know you as a football player, but they don’t know you as a person and I felt like that show in one way or another just kind of helped people who have followed me or followed the teams that I’ve played on to get to know me a little better, which was a huge win."
The docuseries gave a look into Cousins’ recovery process from injury, his off-day activities, what he does with his family after a game, along with many other things previously unknown to fans about the then-Vikings quarterback.
For Cousins, though, the docuseries is more to him than just fans getting to know him better.
"For posterity’s sake, like, my boys are pretty young, so in 10 years, to be able to pull up that show and say ‘Hey boys, you kinda want to go down memory lane and kinda see some of what dad did in the 2022 football season,’ I think that will be valuable content to have. So that’s kind of fun too and a win coming out of it."
The Vikings went 13-4 in the regular season and lost to the New York Giants in the NFC wild-card round during the 2022 season.
Following the 2023 season, Cousins signed with the Atlanta Falcons in free agency. He helped lead them to a 6-5 record and they are currently atop the NFC South standings.
The Vikings drafted Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy in the first round, and signed Sam Darnold in free agency to replace Cousins.
Darnold has led the Vikings to a 9-2 record and they are second in the NFC North behind the Detroit Lions.
Cousins will play his former team when he travels to Minnesota to take on the Vikings on Dec. 8.
Former New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones has reportedly found a new home; a team that is contending for the playoffs and even the Super Bowl.
Jones is set to sign a deal with the Minnesota Vikings, FOX Sports reported Wednesday. He will be the backup to Sam Darnold, who is having a breakout season, and learn Kevin O’Connell’s offense.
The Vikings have been a surprise contender this season with Darnold under center. The veteran quarterback was thrust into the starting role as rookie J.J. McCarthy was sidelined for the season with a knee injury. Darnold has led the Vikings to a 9-2 record, only one game behind the Detroit Lions for the NFC North lead.
Jones’ run with the Giants came to an end last week. After he seemingly said goodbye at a press conference, team co-owner John Mara announced the team would be releasing him.
"Daniel came to see me this morning and asked if we would release him," Mara said in a statement on Friday. "We mutually agreed that would be best for him and for the team. Daniel has been a great representative of our organization, first class in every way. His handling of this situation yesterday exemplifies just that.
"We are all disappointed in how things have worked out. We hold Daniel in high regard and have a great appreciation for him. We wish him nothing but the best in the future."
Jones cleared waivers earlier this week and was free to sign with any team.
The Giants selected Jones with the No. 6 overall pick of the 2019 draft. He suffered a bunch of injuries during his time, but when he did play a season at full health, he guided the team to the playoffs and a postseason victory.
In 70 games, he had 14,582 passing yards and 70 touchdown passes.
