The Jaguars intercepted Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold more on Sunday, three times, than all of the quarterbacks they faced over the first nine weeks of the season combined (two).
Yet Jacksonville’s turnover production was not enough to overcome its own offensive struggles on Sunday, with Minnesota eking out a 12-7 victory at EverBank Stadium in Week 10.
Without starting quarterback Trevor Lawrence at the helm due to a left, non-throwing shoulder injury, the Jaguars mustered a mere 3.4 yards per play with Jacksonville native Mac Jones making his first start with the team at signal-caller.
Only two Jacksonville wide receivers caught passes on Sunday: Gabe Davis on a 19-yard reception that set the Jaguars up for their only score of the game — a one-yard quarterback sneak by Jones in the first quarter — and Brian Thomas Jr. for a two and 10-yard gains in the fourth quarter.
The Jaguars netted 70 yards on their scoring drive, and produced only 73 yards otherwise.
Jones finished the matchup 14-of-22 passing for 111 yards with the three turnovers.
Jacksonville linebacker Foyesade Oluokun, cornerback Montaric Brown and safety Darnell Savage Jr. each intercepted Minnesota quarterback Sam Darnold during the contest, with Brown and Savage making their plays either in the end zone or hovering the goal line, preventing potential scores by the Vikings.
Yet the Jaguars’ offense was entirely unable to capitalize on the opportunities their defense provided. Jacksonville ran 16 plays combined on drives that followed a Vikings turnover but generated no points and just 46 yards in those situations.
Jacksonville held a 7-3 lead from 3:48 remaining in the first quarter until 1:45 left in the third. But Minnesota kicker John Parker Romo, who signed with the Vikings on Tuesday, connected on consecutive field goal attempts from 33, 34 and 29 yards out between the third and fourth quarters to take control of the game.
All the while, Jones fumbled a snap and was intercepted twice over Jacksonville’s three final offensive series.
The Jaguars will travel to Detroit to face the Lions in Week 11, their final matchup with an NFC North team this season. Kickoff is scheduled for Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.
