For parts of this 2024 NFL season, it was easy to believe that Sam Darnold was winning games because of how good his Minnesota Vikings teammates were. Darnold was carried by the Vikings’ elite defense and their other talented players. On Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks, Darnold took over carrying duties.

In what felt like a significant moment in Darnold’s career, the former USC star put the Vikings in trouble by throwing a 39-yard touchdown pass to Justin Jefferson late in the fourth quarter that gave Minnesota a 27-24 victory over Seattle and pressure put the Vikings through 13-2, tied with the Detroit Lions at the top of the NFC North.

Darnold has benefited from the talent and coaching around him in Minnesota. On Sunday it was different: The Vikings benefited from Darnold being there in crunch time and making the big plays of an elite quarterback. If Darnold plays like this in January, the Vikings have a real chance to reach their first Super Bowl in 48 years. Minnesota’s last Super Bowl appearance came in January 1977 in Super Bowl XI against the Oakland Raiders.

This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: Sam Darnold throws clutch touchdown pass, leading Vikings to 13-2 record