What Vikings Can Expect from the Jaguars

We head into Week 10 , and the Minnesota Vikings are on the road to Florida. We take a look at what to expect from the Jacksonville Jaguars as the Vikings search for win number seven.

What Vikings Can Expect from the Jaguars

I expected the Jags to do reasonably well this season, but that has not happened. Jacksonville sits with a 2-7 record and, barring something drastic will end the season with a losing record for the first time since 2021. After two 9-win seasons, this is a backward step and puts head coach Doug Pederson in the "hot seat" conversation. There is talent in the building in Jacksonville, but last week's loss to the Philadelphia Eagles summed up where this team is.

With the score at 28-23 to the Eagles, the Jaguars offense was on 1st and 10 at the Eagles 13-yard line with 1:42 left in the game. Well-placed to take the lead and possibly win the game, Trever Lawrence threw the ball too high for RB D'Ernest Johnson, and Nakobe Dean snagged the interception that ended the game. Besides being soundly beaten by the Buffalo Bills and Chicago Bears, Jacksonville has been competitive in their games.

Why Has It Gone So Wrong in Jacksonville?

I wasn't the only one who expected more from the Jags this season. At least being in and around the wildcard race in the AFC is where they should be. So why has it gone so wrong? A major reason is their defense has been bad, like really bad. Only the Carolina Panthers have allowed more points at this stage of the season, and the Jaguars' defense ranks 32nd per EPA/Play — dead last. They allow 264.3 passing yards per game, which will be the worst defense the Vikings have seen all season. It should be the perfect opportunity.

The Jaguars also make a lot of mistakes. They have 12 giveaways (6 interceptions and 6 fumbles), and with a struggling defense that has only managed 5 takeaways (2 interceptions and 3 fumbles), Jacksonville has a turnover differential of -7. Only the Titans and Raiders are worse. Sloppy play, particularly in big moments, is a recipe for a team to be 2-7.

Jaguars Offense Carries a Threat

This is not a game the Vikings' defense can afford to let the standards slip. The Jaguars' offense carries a genuine threat led by former number-one overall pick Trevor Lawrence. He may not play because of a shoulder injury — Mac Jones would be on deck — but Lawrence has led the ship so far.

Any criticism put his way, and there has been some, is erroneous. There have been mistakes, like at the end of the Eagles game, but Lawrence has played well for the most part. The QB's grade of 80.3 from Pro Football Focus is ninth best in the league, and Lawrence ranks in the top 10 in adjusted EPA.

First-round rookie Brian Thomas Jr is looking like a good find. Thomas has 35 catches for 595 yards and 5 touchdowns from his first nine games. The rookie's importance has increased since Christian Kirk once again landed on IR due to a broken collarbone.

The Jags have a very good RB duo in Tank Bigsby and Travis Etienne, but the latter has once again had injury trouble. Ettiene is joined on the injury report this week by Bigsby, Thomas, and Lawrence. Also on there are Ezra Cleveland, Brandon Scherff, and Gabr Davis — basically the whole offense.

That will be something to watch leading up to the game, but whoever plays the Vikings or doesn't still need to ensure they are on their game.