Vikings vs Jaguars (MIN -4 O/U 45.5)
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Minnesota vs. Jacksonville | Sunday, November 10, 2024
Minnesota started this season hot, 5-0 heading into their bye week, but have gone 1-2 since. Now, they’re aiming to prove that they’re still legit contenders for a historically good NFC North this year. Jacksonville, on the other hand, have seemed to go back and forth on firing Doug Pederson, with a 2-7 record placing them at the bottom of a dismal AFC South, losing 3 of their last 4. To give you an idea of just how bad their season is going, in their most recent loss to the Eagles, Saquon Barkley humiliated the Jags' defense with the first-ever backward hurdle, effectively posterizing Ronald Darby.
There are plenty of strong individual players on their defense though, including Josh Allen-Hines and Travon Walker, who already has 6.5 sacks on the season, but there is a lack of cohesion that has allowed them to be blown open far too many times. They have generated the fewest takeaways with only 5, allowing 252 points to be scored against them, second most in the league thanks to the 19 passing touchdowns they’ve conceded, another league-worst. Jacksonville has been better against the run, but have definitely not done enough over the course of the season to give their offense enough chances to put points on the board.
That offense has been hampered by injuries to Evan Engram, Travis Etienne, and wide receiver Christian Kirk, who will be out for the rest of the season with a broken collarbone. With a significantly depleted receiving core, Trevor Lawrence has a tall task in front of him going up against a Vikings defense that leads the league in interceptions. Lawrence may not even be able to play in the game due to injury, which would only further complicate the task of getting a result against the Vikings, as they have also allowed the fewest rushing yards in the league this season, giving the Jags little choice but to pass. That’s not exactly a safe bet either, as Brian Flores’ defense has blitzed more than any other team, leading the league in quarterback pressures and hurries.
Sam Darnold wasn’t quite at his best against the Colts in week 9, throwing 2 interceptions and losing a fumble, but he did manage to score 3 touchdowns to make up for it. The offense around him is remarkable, however, with Aaron Jones always productive in the backfield, alongside a truly enviable receiving core. Jordan Addison has been good in his return from suspension, and T.J. Hockenson has added even more firepower in his return from injury. The jewel in the crown is, of course, Justin Jefferson, who had 137 yards on 7 receptions last week against the Colts.
Despite a slight stumble after their bye week, the Vikings are looking back to their best, and certainly capable of taking down a fairly weak Jags side in Jacksonville. With a defense that allows the most yards per offensive play in the league, against the most explosive pass-catching weapon in America lining up against them in Justin Jefferson, this game has some serious blowout potential, with even worse prospects if Lawrence's absence is confirmed.
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Vikings 1st Quarter -0.5