Sam Darnold’s NFL career has followed an unusual arc, marked by early expectations, subsequent setbacks, and a late resurgence. Once viewed as a potential franchise quarterback after being selected in the top 3 of the NFL Draft, Darnold later carried the label of a bust before rebuilding his reputation as a reliable starter.
After stints with the New York Jets and Carolina Panthers failed to produce playoff appearances, Darnold revived his career with the Minnesota Vikings and Seattle Seahawks. Over the 2024 and 2025 seasons, he combined for 28 regular-season wins, a total matched only by Tom Brady over that same span. Still, regular-season success has not yet translated into postseason victories.
As Darnold has now re-established himself as a starting quarterback, playoff performance remains the next benchmark. Here is a breakdown of his postseason history to date.
Sam Darnold playoff record
| Year | Record | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 0-1 | Loss, Wild Card vs. Rams |
Darnold has started one playoff game in his NFL career. That appearance came during the 2024 season with the Vikings, following a breakout year in which he helped Minnesota win 14 games. Despite that record, the Vikings entered the postseason as a wild-card team.
Minnesota faced the Los Angeles Rams in a game relocated to Arizona due to wildfires in Los Angeles. The matchup proved difficult for Darnold and the Vikings’ offense. Darnold was sacked 9 times, turned the ball over twice, and struggled to find rhythm against a dominant Rams defensive front.
Sam Darnold playoff stats
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Games: 1
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Record: 0-1
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Pass attempts: 40
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Completions: 25
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Completion percentage: 62.5%
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Passing yards: 245
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Passing touchdowns: 1
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Interceptions: 1
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Fumbles: 1
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Passer rating: 77.6
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Sacks: 9
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Rushing attempts: 4
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Rushing yards: 19
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Rushing touchdowns: 0
While the stat line shows respectable passing volume and efficiency, the turnovers and constant pressure defined the performance. One of the turnovers resulted directly in a Rams touchdown, further shifting momentum away from Minnesota.
Darnold was also part of the San Francisco 49ers roster during their Super Bowl run in the 2023 season, but he did not appear in any playoff games, serving as Brock Purdy’s backup.
With his regular-season resurgence firmly established, Darnold’s postseason résumé remains limited. Future playoff opportunities will determine whether his career turnaround can extend into January success.
