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Jacksonville Jaguars defense clamps down on Justin Jefferson, to no avail in loss to Vikings
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- Jacksonville Jaguars defense clamps down on Justin Jefferson, to no avail in loss to Vikings
The Jacksonville Jaguars intercepted a season-high three passes at EverBank Stadium on Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings .
It didn't matter.
The Vikings failed to score a touchdown for the first time in 14 games, dating back to a 3-0 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 14 of the 2023 season.
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It didn't matter.
The Jaguars secondary held Justin Jefferson, the NFL's leading yardage receiver, to a season-low 48 yards on five catches, his lowest total since the Vikings' 2023 game against Las Vegas , when he had three receptions for 27 yards.
Again, it didn't matter.
Unless the defense had gotten a touchdown on its own, as they did last week against Philadelphia , none of what they accomplished on Sunday mattered to the bottom line in a 12-7 loss, the Jaguars' sixth setback this season by single digits.
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) catches a pass between Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Jarrian Jones (22) and cornerback Tyson Campbell (3) during the third quarter of an NFL football matchup Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024 at Everbank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. The Vikings defeated the Jaguars 12-7. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
Jaguars didn't cash in on turnovers
Darnell Savage, Foye Oluokun and Buster Brown got the interceptions for the Jaguars -- all on plays where Jefferson, who caught nine passes for 121 yards as a rookie against the Jags in 2020 -- was the targeted receiver by quarterback Sam Darnold .
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The picks for Savage and Brown, which both came in the Vikings' end zone to thwart scoring threats, where their first as Jaguars and Brown's first in the NFL.
But the offense failed to turn any of the turnovers into points.
It could have been worse for the Vikings. Andre Cisco dropped one ball in the first quarter and Ronald Darby had an apparent pick and a 52-yard return that he fumbled back to the Eagles at the Vikings 31. The play was nullified anyway because of an illegal use of hands penalty on Tyson Campbell and the Vikings got one of four John Parker Romo field goals later on the possession.
The Jaguars also got a sack from Travon Walker and three tackles for losses and held Darnold to a 48.2 passer rating.
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"It was good to see some turnovers go out way," said Savage. "Hopefully that is the trend from here on out."
The Jaguars had only two interceptions and five turnovers entering the game, tied for last in the NFL with Las Vegas and Cleveland .
Defense gave the offense another chance to win
More important than any stat, the defense got the ball back for the offense for the second week in a row with a chance to win the game inside the two-minute mark. Walker's sack on third-and-one forced the Vikings to put but Mac Jones' second interception of the game ended the threat.
Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Ronald Darby (25) hauls in an interception against Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison (3) but was called back due to a defensive penalty before the ball was thrown during the third quarter of an NFL football matchup Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024 at Everbank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. The Vikings defeated the Jaguars 12-7. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
"It hurts," Brown said. "We didn't get the job done. We're trying to be consistent, attacking ... that's our mindset. We want to keep that going."
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But what more could the Jags defense have done?
"There's always one more play," Campbell said. "All in all, proud of the way these guys fought."
Jaguars' contain Justin Jefferson with team effort
The Jaguars defensive strategy was questioned earlier in the week when coach Doug Pederson and defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen said they wouldn't necessarily keep Campbell, the team's shutdown corner, on Jefferson.
They stuck to that plan and Jefferson was frustrated all day. Campbell covered him most of the time when Jefferson lined up to the offense's left, with help from a safety, but when he was in the slot or the right side, he drew Brown or Darby.
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Brown had an especially good day, jamming Jefferson and getting away with some bumping down the field.
"We knew what they wanted to do," Brown said. "It was all based on doing your job. Wherever he lined up, do your job."
Savage rudely greeted by former teammate
Savage's interception had a bizarre end. Former Jaguar offensive tackle Cam Robinson, who was traded to the Vikings three weeks ago, hit Savage late and drew an unnecessary roughness penalty. But it was off-set because Jaguars defensive tackle Tyler Lacy was called for an illegal blindsided block.
Savage said he didn't take offense.
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"He didn't really hit me late and it wasn't even that bad of a hit," Savage said. "I know everyone [was] gonna make a whole bunch of it but I'm cool with it. I'll probably text him."
Jaguars continue to have trouble with tight ends
The defense still had some troubling moments T.J. Hockenson led the Vikings with eight catches for 72 yards and former Jaguar Josh Oliver added four for 52 yards, showing again that the team's issues with covering tight ends remain an ongoing problem.
Then there were two crucial penalties, Campbell's flag on the Darby interception (even though Darby fumbled the ball away, it was a difference of 37 yards in field position), and an unnecessary roughness flag on Walker when he punched several times at Aaron Jones on a 6-yard run that was stopped 1 yard short of a first down at the Minnesota 10 with 52 seconds left.
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Minnesota punter Ryan Wright would have had to kick from his own end zone. Instead, the Vikings for a first down at their 25 and Darnold had only to kneel twice to end the game.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jacksonville Jaguars secondary holds Justin Jefferson to season-low yards
