Jacksonville Jaguars (2-8) – Minnesota Vikings (7-2): 7-12
The meeting was not a great confrontation, neither offensive nor defensive, but a contest to see who makes the fewest mistakes. Favorites before kickoff, the Vikings were blocked in the first half because of three interceptions from Sam Darnold. But the course of the match was reversed in the second half when the Jaguars also indulged in losing the ball. In the end, the men of Minnesota won a meeting that was promised to them, but it was difficult and complicated, while Trevor Laurence was not even there…
Jaguars steal the ball…
At the start of the game, it didn't take long for the Jaguars to get going. If Minnesota scores a field goal, Jacksonville immediately responds with actions from Brenton Strange (TE, 25 yards), Gabe Davis (WR, 19 yards) and Travis Etienne (RB, 44 ayrds) before Mac Jones (QB, 14/22 , 111 yards, 2 int) does not cross the line on a short sneak. An interception followed immediately to put a little more pressure on the visitors.
The Vikings then begin their “needy” mode. Consuming two thirds of the second quarter on a single drive, Sam Darnold (QB, 241 yards, 3 int) relies on TJ Hockenson (TE, 72 yards) and Aaron Jones (RB, 101 yards) to arrive in the red zone . Unfortunately all these efforts ended with a second interception in the end zone. When it doesn't… After exchanges of punts, the two teams return to the locker room with a score of 7 to 3.
…And the Vikings imitate them
The third quarter opens with a dark feeling of déjà vu. While Minnesota advances to the gates of the opposing red zone, Darnold is once again fooled by the coverage and throws his third interception as he sought to connect with Justin Jefferson (WR, 48 yards). And the fourth is not far away on a play canceled for penalty… Really, the whole game develops in pain. And when the Vikings make another incursion into the red zone, it is to better retreat from a penalty. A trip that still earns 3 points, but leaves Jacksonville in the lead.
And as bad news does not come alone, the last quarter opens with an injury to Aaron Jones. The Violets lose one of their best weapons, and the clock continues to tick down. In pain, they still managed to get into the red zone once again, far enough to score another field goal. But this time they are ahead in the score.
It's up to the Jaguars to push hard if they want to create a surprise. A challenge that looks bad when Mac Jones loses the leather in his own part of the field which comes back into the hands of Minnesota. A new kick follows, yet the match is far from over and everything remains possible. Well, that's what we think, until Jones also throws an interception which gives the purples leather in midfield. A free warning, but despite everything the locals will have to go for victory if they want it. The game then turns to Evan Engram (TE, 40 yards) and Brian Thomas (WR, 12 yards). However, everything collapsed when Jones was intercepted with less than two minutes to play on a completely botched play in the back of the field, even more so when a truly unnecessary penalty gave the Vikings the last action. Favorites, the men of Minnesota finally got out of a much more complicated match than it should have been on paper and continued their path in the NFC.
