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Jacksonville Jaguars struggle on offense without Trevor Lawrence, lose 12-7 to Vikings
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- Jacksonville Jaguars struggle on offense without Trevor Lawrence, lose 12-7 to Vikings
The Jacksonville Jaguars (2-8) looked as expected against the Minnesota Vikings (7-2) on Sunday without quarterback Trevor Lawrence . It wasn't pretty.
Yet, they had a chance to win in the end thanks to three Vikings turnovers. It didn't matter. Jacksonville's offense had three straight turnovers to end the game, and the Jaguars lost 12-7 without surrendering a touchdown.
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Before the game, Lawrence was ruled out due to a reported AC joint sprain to his left shoulder suffered last week against the Philadelphia Eagles .
Backup QB Mac Jones took the reins instead.
Nov 10, 2024; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Mac Jones (10) avoids a tackle from safety Joshua Metellus (44) during the during the second quarter at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images
GAME RECAP: Jaguars lose 12-7 to Vikings
In a bend-but-don't-break affair, Jacksonville's defense recorded three interceptions, almost doubling its season total coming into the game.
The game featured very little effectiveness on offense. Minnesota, meanwhile, drove the ball down the field but came up empty on three possessions that totaled 45, 76 and 52 yards, respectively.
Vikings QB Sam Darnold was 24 of 38 yards for 241 yards and three interceptions.
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Still, Jacksonville's offense couldn't get anything done. The Jaguars had just 119 total net yards at the end of the third quarter. The total included a 70-yard touchdown drive on the team's second possession of the game.
Jones, after starting the game 8 of 12 for 73 yards, completed just six passes for 38 yards and two interceptions. He finished 14 of 22 for 111 yards and two interceptions.
A dropped snap from under center resulted in a Vikings fumble recovery leading to a field goal, and back-to-back interceptions by Jones ended any chances the Jaguars might've had against Minnesota.
Sam Darnold throws three picks against Jaguars' opportunistic defense
Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Montaric Brown (30) celebrates his interception during the second quarter an NFL football matchup Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024 at Everbank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
The Jaguars were relentlessly attacking the football Sunday against Darnold. Darnold tossed three interceptions in the first 35 minutes of game time, throwing two during the first half and one to start the second half.
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Jaguars at three position groups picked off Darnold. That included linebacker Foye Oluokun , cornerback Montaric Brown and safety Darnell Savage .
All three interceptions were against passes intended for Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson .
Mac Jones scores for hometown team, Jaguars defense holds steady in first half vs. Vikings
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Mac Jones (10) spikes the ball after scoring a touchdown during the first quarter of an NFL football matchup Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024 at Everbank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
Jones was brought in to lead the Jaguars if need be and did so early during the first quarter of action against the Vikings on Sunday.
After a quick three-and-out to start the game, Jones completed his next four passes for 48 yards on the ensuing drive. Jones scored a one-yard go-ahead touchdown on a quarterback sneak to end the drive. The score gave Jacksonville a 7-3 lead late during the first quarter against Minnesota.
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Jones finished the first quarter 5 of 6 for 50 yards. Jaguars running back Travis Etienne helped out with an 18-yard carry to give Jacksonville some breathing room against Minnesota's stout defense.
On the next drive, Jaguars cornerback Tyson Campbell broke up a pass intended for Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson. Oluokun intercepted the deflected pass, giving Jacksonville the ball back up 7-3.
On the next drive, the Jaguars intercepted Darnold again. This time, the Vikings' QB was picked off in the end zone by Jaguars CB Montaric Brown. It marked the first time this season that the Jaguars posted multiple interceptions in a game. They came into Sunday with just two interceptions this year.
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Darnold finished the first half 12 of 20 for 119 yards and two interceptions
Jones finished the first half 8 of 12 for 73 yards and a one-yard rushing TD.
Still, outside of a 70-yard scoring drive, the Jaguars totaled just 31 yards against Minnesota in the first half. The Vikings finished with 182 total net yards in the first half.
With three straight losses, the Jaguars are set to take on the Detroit Lions next week before a Week 12 bye.
Demetrius Harvey is the Jacksonville Jaguars reporter for the Florida Times-Union. You can follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @Demetrius82 .
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This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jacksonville Jaguars lose 12-7 to Vikings without Trevor Lawrence
