Who will take the spoils in this cross-conference matchup?
Minnesota got back to winning ways in Week 9 with a 21-13 victory over the Indianapolis Colts.
It was a win that did not follow the pattern of the rest of the year. In previous games the Vikings have gotten off to a hot start.
Week 9’s win was the first game where Minnesota were held scoreless for the first quarter.
Unfortunately the drought continued to half time due to the injured Will Reichard missing the first kicks of his career.
Kevin O’Connell clearly inspired the team at half time as they came out with a new-found momentum to score three touchdowns.
Combined with some excellent defensive performances, the game was out of reach for the Colts.
Week 10 sees another AFC South match-up with the Vikings making the trip to Jacksonville to face the Jaguars.
After missing practice for two straight days it seems very likely that the Jags will be without quarterback Trevor Lawrence.
Mac Jones is the next man up and is in line to replace him. Jones previously faced the Vikings on Thanksgiving in 2022 when he was the starter for New England.
Despite his well publicised issues with the Patriots he actually had a very effective game. The former Alabama quarterback completing 28 passes for 382 yards and two touchdowns.
Lawrence has been sacked 18 times in nine games so it is clear the protections are not holding up.
To put it bluntly, Jones just does not have the same skillset as Lawrence. When it comes to getting out of the pocket and extending plays Jones does not have the mobility needed.
If the coverage in the secondary can hold up for even a few seconds, then the trio of Andrew Van Ginkel, Jonathan Greenard and Dallas Turner will be there to apply pressure. Minnesota native and unsung hero of the season, Blake Cashman, could be returning to add a steadying influence to the defense.
On the other side of the ball the path to victory is clear, feed Aaron Jones, Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison early and often.
Jacksonville do not have many superstars but the edge combination of Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker is one of the best in the league.
Brian O’Neill and the recently acquired Cam Robinson will have to be at their best to blunt the edges.
Sam Darnold’s game against the Colts was a microcosm of his whole season. There was the sublime touchdown pass to Addison and the ridiculous interception thrown into the end zone.
If Darnold cleans up some of the issues he has shown so far – including ignoring open receivers – the Vikings should move to 7-2 in the standings.
