When J.J. McCarthy went down in preseason, the buzz and excitement around the Minnesota Vikings disappeared as quickly as it had arrived.

Two weeks into the season, former New York Jets, Carolina Panthers and San Francisco 49ers quarterback Sam Darnold has said ‘not so fast’.

Sam Darnold is off to a career resurgence through the first two weeks of the seasonGetty

Putting an indifferent few years in the league behind him, Darnold has led the Vikings to a hot start out of the gate at 2-0 with wins over the New York Giants and San Francisco 49ers, behind his superb play.

Superb play that isn’t all that surprising according to teammate Josh Metellus.

“Obviously early in his career he had some ups and downs,” Metellus said in an exclusive interview sitdown with talkSPORT’s Will Gavin for the End Zone YouTube channel.

“But the talent was always there. I think that year he had last year of just being able to take a step back and collect information of what he has done in the past and what he wants to be moving forward.

“He was able to figure out exactly the type of guy he is, and how he can help this team win. And when you have a coach like Kevin [O’Connell, Vikings head coach] to call plays for you, you get you to see things a certain way as a quarterback.

“I think it definitely plays into your strength, and our coaching staff does a great job of playing to everybody’s strength.

“He’s a very talented quarterback, especially with his arm. I knew that was going to be highlighted very early in the season, because we got those deep threats on the outside. 

“It was just a matter of time everybody else got to see it. But you know I’m not surprised, man. His preparation, his work throughout the off season was top tier.”

After McCarthy, the Vikings tenth overall selection in April’s draft, tore his meniscus , the starting role was handed to Darnold.

Through two games Darnold – now 27, and the 2018 third overall pick by the Jets in 2018 – has thrown for 476 yards and four touchdowns, ranking ninth and equal second respectively. 

Stroud has the Texans off to a hot start, with a 2-0 recordGetty

Jefferson left the game with a quad injury and is considered ‘day-to-day’Getty

Including his 97-yard bomb to star receiver Justin Jefferson last Sunday, a play that even took Metellus by surprise.

“When you got Justin Jefferson to throw the ball to, everything’s pretty much up in the air, so you gotta be ready for everything,” Metellus said. “But yeah, that was a surprise to me, too.”

The Vikings will face another stiff challenge on Sunday as the undefeated Houston Texans and star quarterback C.J. Stroud roll into town.

The second-year quarterback has built on his record-setting rookie year and has picked up exactly where he left off. 

With a cast of dangerous weapons at every position after former Viking Stefon Diggs joined in the offseason, Metellus knows the challenge that lies ahead against this offense and is looking forward to it.

“Oh, man, I’m excited to play another good skill group,” Metellus said.

“As a defensive back, you live for games like this, where you have a good quarterback, you got good receivers, good tight ends to go against, and you know it’s gonna come down to one of you guys making a play.

“C.J. Stroud is a great, great quarterback. He does a great job putting the ball out of harm’s way, but also putting it where he wants to, and that’s in the receivers hands.

“So we got a test this weekend, but I know with our rush and our coverage, we’re going to make it a fun game.”

Following their game against another undefeated team on Sunday, Minnesota will head to Lambeau Field to play against the division rival Green Bay Packers.

Then before it’s across the pond to London to face off against Aaron Rodgers and the hopeful Jets at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.

talkSPORT is your home of the NFL on UK radio – join us as Week 3 continues on talkSPORT2 from 6pm on Sunday September 22 when the Houston Texans travel to the Minnesota Vikings

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