The game was closer in score than it actually was in play.
Minnesota’s tough defense completely shut down Jacksonville, holding them to just 143 yards — the fewest allowed in coach Doug Pederson’s three years with the team. Despite Sam Darnold throwing three interceptions, the Vikings managed to win 12-7 on Sunday in a stadium mostly filled with purple-clad fans.
“Those are the types of games that good teams find a way to win, regardless of what it looks like all day,” said Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell. “And I’m proud of that, but absolutely a lot of things we need to correct and fix.”
The Vikings (7-2) won in a very messy fashion, but it felt like a blowout in terms of how the game played out.
Minnesota ran 82 plays, while Jacksonville only ran 43. The Vikings controlled the clock, holding the ball for 42 minutes and 19 seconds compared to just 17:41 for the Jaguars. Minnesota picked up 28 first downs, while Jacksonville only had 10. The Vikings ran 39 plays in Jacksonville’s territory and finished with 402 total yards.
Darnold made it hard for his team to win, especially with three interceptions. This was his first three-interception game in three years, and he threw a fourth pick that was wiped out by a penalty.
All three of Darnold’s interceptions came when targeting star receiver Justin Jefferson, who ended the game with five catches for 48 yards. Two of those interceptions happened in the red zone.
“I got to do a lot better job to take care of the football,” Darnold said. “I think that’s obvious.”
Minnesota got three field goals from John Parker Romo on the five times they reached inside Jacksonville’s 20-yard line. Romo kicked from 29, 34, 33, and 45 yards in his NFL debut. His third field goal gave the Vikings the lead.
Jacksonville (2-8) had a chance late in the game after a sack by Travon Walker on a third-and-1 play. That was an odd call for a team that wasn’t doing anything offensively.
Mac Jones was filling in for the injured Trevor Lawrence (non-throwing shoulder) and was making his first start in almost a year. He wasn’t very effective, but he still had the Jaguars moving down the field in the final minutes. He got a break from a face-mask penalty against linebacker Blake Cashman.
However, Jones threw an interception with 1:49 left to end Jacksonville’s chances. Earlier in the fourth quarter, Jones also had two turnovers — another interception and a fumbled snap.
“The easy stuff just wasn’t good enough by me,” Jones said.
Minnesota seemed like it might have to punt in the final minute, but Walker was penalized for unnecessary roughness when he tried to punch the ball out of running back Aaron Jones’ hands on a third-down play. The Vikings were able to take a knee from there to finish the game.
Mac Jones completed 14 of 22 passes for 111 yards, with a passer rating of just 38.3.
Darnold’s passer rating was slightly better after completing 24 of 38 passes for 241 yards. He targeted tight ends 15 times. T.J. Hockenson caught eight passes for 72 yards, and Josh Oliver had four receptions for 52 yards.
Jacksonville’s 143 yards was the fifth-lowest in franchise history, adding to the frustration of coach Doug Pederson, who now has a 3-13 record in his last 16 games.
“I never expected to be here, obviously,” Pederson said. “We have five or six one-score games. It’s hard. As a team, as coaches, we’re making it hard. We’re making it too hard. The guys are frustrated, and they should be. They’re angry, and they should be. We all are.”
