Sam Darnold’s career season means the Minnesota Vikings face a tough decision

Brought to Minnesota to be a bridge to the next generation, Sam Darnold is now leading one of the hottest teams in the league and the potential No 1 seed in the NFC. Yes, really!

Before this season, Sam Darnold's strongest contribution to the NFL canon was seeing ghosts".

Darnold was one of several quarterbacks selected early in the first round to wash out with the New York Jets. After leaving Florham Park, he bounced between backup and bridge-starter roles in Carolina and San Francisco before winding up in Minnesota. Now he's leading one of the hottest teams in the NFL. As injuries and attrition continue to knee-cap the Lions, the Vikings are making a late surge for the No 1 seed in the NFC - and potentially home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.