As if Sunday's demolition at the hands of the Lions wasn't bad enough, NBC announced that the audience that tuned in for the Week 18 clash between the Vikings and Lions was the third largest to ever tune into Sunday Night Football.

Here are five takeaways from the Vikings’ 31-9 loss to the Lions. There’s no way around it: In the biggest game of his career to this point, quarterback Sam Darnold was completely consumed by the moment. He seemed rattled from the first time he touched the ball and only completed 18 of 41 passes for 166 yards.

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold throws the ball against the Detroit Lions. After the game, he took accountability and acknowledged his gaffes. “Kicking field goals isn’t going to get it done against that team,” said the 27-year-old Darnold in a report from the Associated Press. “I have to hit those throws.”