Vikings enjoy 97-yard Darnold-to-Jefferson TD pass for early spark against 49ers

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Sam Darnold strong-armed his former team in his home debut for the Minnesota Vikings — with a 97-yard touchdown pass to superstar Justin Jefferson.

Darnold dropped back into his end zone on second down from the 3 in the second quarter, spotted Jefferson speeding on a go-route between San Francisco safeties Ji’Ayir Brown and George Odum and let the ball fly. Jefferson caught it in stride just across midfield after it soared 55 yards in the air and ran diagonally toward the 49ers sideline, before stutter-stepping at the 32 and veering the opposite direction.

Vikings teammate Jalen Nailor caught up to dart in front of the two defenders and escort Jefferson across the goal line that gave them a 10-0 lead.

That was the second-longest play from scrimmage in Vikings history. Gus Frerotte threw a 99-yard touchdown pass to Bernard Berrian in 2008 against the Chicago Bears to set the record.

Darnold, who played last season for the 49ers, signed with Minnesota this year and became the youngest quarterback in NFL history, according to CBS, to start for four different teams. Darnold was the third overall pick in the 2018 draft by the New York Jets.

___

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL