This Sunday, the Minnesota Vikings will make their way to Florida to face the Jacksonville Jaguars in an inter-conference showdown. The Vikings recently broke a two-game losing streak with a victory over the Indianapolis Colts last week. Meanwhile, the Jaguars are struggling at 2-7 this season after a close loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, falling 28-23. Kickoff is set for 1:00 pm EST.
Read on for insights and predictions regarding the Vikings versus Jaguars match.
Vikings Regain Momentum
The Minnesota Vikings were riding high just three weeks ago, being one of the last undefeated teams in the league. However, they faced a setback with two consecutive losses. The team bounced back with a solid 21-13 win against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday night. Quarterback Sam Darnold played a pivotal role, throwing three touchdown passes in the second half despite a few turnovers. Currently, the Vikings hold a record of 6-2, sitting just one game behind the Detroit Lions in the NFC North standings.
“I know Sam is critical of his performance with those interceptions, but I believe in his ability to stay aggressive,” Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell commented.
Darnold completed 28 of 34 passes for 290 yards, along with the three touchdowns and two interceptions. Wide receiver Justin Jefferson delivered a standout performance, racking up 137 yards receiving, while teammates Jordan Addison and Jalen Nailor also contributed with touchdown receptions. The Vikings amassed a total of 415 yards in offense while limiting the Colts to just 227 yards and only 13 first downs.
As the trade deadline passed, the Vikings opted to maintain their current roster, aiming to secure a playoff spot with the team’s existing talent. A win against the Jaguars is crucial, considering the Vikings will face more road games in the coming weeks. They are ranked 8th in the NFL for scoring offense and 13th in total offense this season. Their efficiency in the red zone is notable, sitting at 7th for touchdown conversions, although they struggle with protecting Darnold, ranked 27th in sacks allowed. Defensively, they are 7th in scoring defense but are 28th against the pass.
Key Injuries: Long snapper Andrew DePaola and kicker Will Reichard are out. Cornerback Akayleb Evans and linebacker Blake Cashman are questionable for the game.
Jaguars Seek Redemption
The Jacksonville Jaguars have faced disappointment this season, especially given their high expectations in the AFC South. After a tough loss to the Eagles, the Jaguars now sit at 2-7. They fell behind 22-0 against Philadelphia but managed to stage a late comeback that ultimately fell short. With three losses in their last four games, the team has been outscored by a total of 57 points this season.
“We feel like this is the week we turn things around. We’ve faced adversity, and we thought this was our chance, but we didn’t finish strong,” Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence expressed. “It’s frustrating, but we must keep pushing forward.”
Lawrence’s performance against the Eagles saw him complete 16 of 31 passes for 169 yards, without a touchdown and two interceptions. He did manage to score twice on the ground, but he is not expected to play this week due to a non-throwing shoulder injury, which will likely put Mac Jones in the starting role. The Jaguars’ running game struggled, managing only 60 yards on 18 attempts, averaging just 3.3 yards per carry. Overall, they totaled 215 yards of offense and converted only 3 of 11 third downs. The defense allowed the Eagles to gain 447 yards.
Head coach Doug Pederson is under pressure as the team grapples with a disappointing record. His offensive strategies have led to the Jaguars ranking 18th in scoring and 21st in total offense. They are 9th in rushing but 17th in passing efficiency. On defense, the Jaguars rank poorly, sitting 30th in scoring defense and 31st in total defense. Their struggles are compounded by their inability to stop the passing game, ranking 31st against it.
Key Injuries: Wide receiver Devin Duvernay is out. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence, defensive tackle Mason Smith, wide receiver Gabe Davis, and guard Ezra Cleveland are questionable.
Best Bets for Minnesota Vikings vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
