Jeff Diamond’s Jaguars-Vikings Preview
” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/USATSI_24600973.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=785,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/USATSI_24600973.jpg”/>Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) warms up subsequent to quarterback Mac Jones (10) earlier than an NFL soccer matchup Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. © Corey Perrine/Florida Occasions-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK by way of Imagn Photographs.
Nothing comes simple within the NFL, however the Vikings’ upcoming three straight street video games — 2-7 Jacksonville, 2-6 Tennessee, and 4-4 Chicago — are definitely winnable if the staff performs nicely.
There are all the time obstacles to beat in an NFL season, even for playoff-bound groups. For the Vikings, it was bouncing again from losses to the Lions and Rams and a halftime deficit on Sunday night time to beat the Colts. And accidents are all the time an element to cope with in the course of the lengthy season.
Jeff Diamond’s Jaguars-Vikings Preview
Blake Cashman’s turf toe damage performed a big function within the two losses, because the protection was with out its main tackler and a very good move defender. Cashman has been restricted in apply this week, however Kevin O’Connell expects him to be again on Sunday towards the Jaguars.
Cam Robinson stepped in and performed nicely in his first sport as Christian Darrisaw’s substitute at left deal with. He faces his former staff on Sunday after final week’s commerce.
The Vikings’ different huge problem this week is that they’ll have a brand new kicker in John Parker Romo (changing star rookie kicker Will Reichard, who’s on IR with a quad damage) and a brand new lengthy snapper in Jake McQuaide (changing Professional Bowler Andrew DePaola, who’s on IR with a hand damage).
” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/USATSI_16748779.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=787,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/USATSI_16748779.jpg” alt=”New Vikings Kicker” class=”wp-image-126871″/> Ryan Hunt-USA TODAY Sports.
Will probably be Romo’s first NFL regular-season sport, however he kicked efficiently within the XFL final 12 months. McQuaide is a 14-year veteran who was a two-time Professional Bowler with the Rams.
In Jacksonville, the large story is whether or not QB Trevor Lawrence will be capable of play together with his injured shoulder. He’s been restricted in apply this week, and the rumblings are that he might miss this sport. Former Patriots starter Mac Jones is the backup, and the Jaguars signed vet C.J. Beathard to be the No. 2 if Lawrence is out (which they wouldn’t have accomplished if Lawrence was a certain factor).
Lawrence has been up and down this season (11 TDs, 6 interceptions, 87.9 passer score ranks twenty third), and he threw two interceptions (together with one which ended the sport) in final Sunday’s 28-23 loss at Philadelphia. However the Vikings would certainly fairly face Jones than Lawrence, the No. 1 total choose within the 2021 draft who obtained a $55 million per 12 months extension previous to this season (tied for second richest contract behind Dak Prescott).
Listed here are my keys to a Vikings victory over the Jaguars:
1. Bounce out to a lead: The Vikings moved the ball on offense within the first half towards the Colts however couldn’t convert it into factors, versus most video games this season when the offense has began quick, resembling in Inexperienced Bay (28-0 second-quarter lead) and on the Rams (TDs on their first two drives).
The Jaguars trailed the Eagles 22-0 final Sunday earlier than rallying. Nevertheless, they fell behind Inexperienced Bay (10-0) and Chicago (21-3) in losses to different NFC North opponents.
” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/USATSI_24070941.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=787,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/USATSI_24070941.jpg” alt=”” class=”wp-image-131876″/> Caean Couto-USA TODAY Sports.
2. Combine the run and move, because the Jaguars are shaky towards each: Jacksonville ranks thirty first on protection and thirty first towards the move. They’re sixteenth vs. the run however have been awful in run protection the previous two weeks. The Eagles had 237 speeding yards final week, with Saquon Barkley gaining 159 yards (one TD). Josh Jacobs had a 127-yard speeding sport two weeks in the past as a part of Inexperienced Bay’s 170 yards on the bottom.
This ought to be a superb alternative for Aaron Jones to high the century mark for the second time this season (102 yards vs. Houston in Week 3). Cam Akers ought to get loads of carries, too, after his spectacular efficiency towards the Colts (six carries for 46 yards, 7.7 common), particularly if the Vikings draw back within the fourth quarter, because it’s a good suggestion to save lots of the damage and tear on Jones at any time when potential.
Operating it nicely will arrange the play-action move sport for Sam Darnold, who ought to have a giant day throwing to his excellent receiving corps led by Justin Jefferson. After seeing the Jaguars’ poor protection on Tucker Kraft of the Packers two weeks in the past on a 67-yard move play when Kraft was huge open, Hockenson ought to be focused typically.
3. Defend Darnold higher: the Vikings have allowed 26 sacks (Eighth most). The Jaguars have solely 20 sacks to rank seventeenth, however they’ve two prolific move rushers at defensive finish in Professional Bowler Josh Hines-Allen (17.5 sacks final season and 5 to date in 2024) and 2022 first total choose Travon Walker (10 sacks in 2023 and 6.5 this season). They’ll check the Vikings tackles — Robinson (the ex-Jag who is aware of them nicely) and Brian O’Neill (who’s having an excellent season).
” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/darnoldcool.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=621,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/darnoldcool.jpg” alt=”” class=”wp-image-133734″/> Matt Krohn-Imagn Images.
Ex-49er Arik Armstead may also be a handful, and the Vikings’ inside linemen are coming off a tough sport towards the Colts and want to enhance this week.
4. Protection reap the benefits of banged-up Jacksonville offense: In addition to Lawrence’s shoulder drawback, the Jaguars misplaced beginning receiver Christian Kirk (damaged collarbone) two weeks in the past, and their star rookie WR Brian Thomas (the main rookie WR with 595 yards) is coping with a chest damage that restricted him to 2 catches for 22 yards final week in Phill. WR Gabe Davis has been restricted with a shoulder damage, and the highest two backs—Tank Bigsby (ankle) and Travis Etienne (hamstring)- have been additionally restricted in apply this week.
If Cashman is again, the Vikings ought to be at full energy on protection, though Ivan Tempo missed apply Wednesday with a knee drawback and was again on a restricted foundation on Thursday.
5. Cease the run and stress Lawrence or Jones: The Vikings held an elite again—Jonathan Taylor—to 48 yards speeding final week. They should cease the run and get after whoever performs quarterback for the Jaguars.
Walker Little has taken over at left deal with after Robinson’s departure and has not graded out nicely in his two begins this season. Jonathan Greenard comes off a two-sack sport towards the Colts, has seven sacks on the season, and will pad his numbers on Sunday in what’s shaping up as a Professional Bowl season for him, as he ranks sixth within the league in sacks and is among the leaders in pressures.
6. Win the turnover battle: the Vikings are plus 4 (Eighth-ranked), and the Jaguars are minus 7 (sixth worst). The Vikings lead the NFL in interceptions (13) and are second in takeaways (17). Jacksonville’s 5 takeaways are the fewest within the league. However the Vikings’ 13 giveaways are fifth most, and Sam Darnold must be extra cautious when throwing downfield after his two unhealthy picks final week on pressured balls to Hockenson and Jefferson.
7. New kicker Romo carry out nicely on his subject targets, PATs, and kickoffs: It has to fret O’Connell and Particular Groups Coach Matt Daniels to trot out a brand new kicker and snapper in mid-season. Romo additionally must get his kickoffs deep in the long run zone, as Bigsby has a 34.2-yard return common.
Ryan Wright has to hit his punts excessive and to the sidelines because the punt protection unit faces a wonderful returner in Parker Washington (24-yard common and a 96-yard return for a TD towards the Patriots, which was a giant play within the Jaguars’ win).
” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/USATSI_24151146.png” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=1180,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/USATSI_24151146.png” alt=”” class=”wp-image-132448″ />NFL Minnesota Vikings punter Ryan Wright. © Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images. The Vikings found Wright as an undrafted free agent in 2022.
Jags Kicker Cam Little is having a superb season — 13 of 14 on subject targets and 18 of 18 on additional factors.
8. Have fewer penalties than the Jaguars: The Vikings have been a lot better final week with solely three penalties after struggling on this space towards the Rams, with 9 penalties, together with 5 on the protection on third down to increase drives. There have been no pre-snap penalties vs. the Colts, which was a giant enchancment. That should proceed, particularly on the street, though the group in Jacksonville isn’t as loud as many venues, particularly if the Vikings get an early lead.
Prediction:
The 6-2 Vikings have to win to remain near 7-1 Detroit and forward of 6-3 Inexperienced Bay (on their bye). I believe the Vikings’ offense may have a giant sport towards one of many league’s worst defenses, which can arrange the protection to drive a number of turnovers towards both Lawrence or Jones.
I predict the Vikings will win 31-17.
Across the NFL Predictions in Week 9:
1. Within the NFC North, the Lions are on the Texans in a battle of division leaders. Detroit is rolling with six straight wins and needs to remain on monitor for the NFC’s high seed and hold the Vikings and Packers at bay. Houston comes off an unsightly loss on the Jets and is struggling to guard C.J. Stroud (eight sacks final week). Detroit is the higher staff and will win.
The Bears haven’t performed nicely in dropping their final two video games at Washington and Arizona to take a seat at 4-4. They need to deal with 2-7 New England at Soldier Discipline so long as they’re not waiting for a tough subsequent three weeks of divisional video games towards the Packers and Vikings in Chicago after which the Lions on Thanksgiving in Detroit.
” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/USATSI_24186523.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=787,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/USATSI_24186523.jpg” alt=”” class=”wp-image-133406″/> Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images.
2. Pittsburgh at Washington is one other matchup of division leaders. I like Jayden Daniels and the Commanders to win at dwelling, however will probably be a detailed sport towards a Steelers staff with a top-10 protection and quarterback Russell Wilson, who appears to be getting higher every week.
3. Dak Prescott is on IR as 3-5 Dallas hosts 6-2 Philadelphia. Cooper Rush will get the beginning, and Vikings followers will recall Rush successful in Minnesota a couple of years in the past. It received’t occur towards the Eagles in what is probably going the Cowboys’ final stand in 2024. They’ve misplaced three in a row and are a large number, whereas the Eagles have received 4 straight and can make it 5 on Sunday.
Jeff Diamond is a former Vikings GM, former Tennessee Titans President and was chosen NFL Govt of the Yr after the Vikings’ 15-1 season in 1998. He now works for the NFL agent group IFA primarily based in Minneapolis and does different sports activities consulting and media work together with faculty/company talking. Observe him and direct message him on Twitter– @jeffdiamondnfl.