The Vikings improved to 7-2 behind new kicker Parker Romo’s four field goals. The defense got three takeaways in the second half to neutralize three Sam Darnold interceptions.
The Vikings improved to 7-2, just barely, by defeating the Jaguars 12-7 in Jacksonville. The Vikings dominated the clock and most offensive statistics, but they were 0-for-5 in the red zone and Sam Darnold threw three interceptions. Three takeaways in the second half by the Vikings defense sealed this win.
NFL Week 10 scoreboard
This is the live report of the Vikings’ win in Jacksonville. To read Ben Goessling’s analysis of the game, go here.
3:05 p.m.: Vikings pull out a win
The Jaguars, now 2-8, are awful. But the 7-2 Vikings were almost worse Sunday during a 12-7 win at Jacksonville. Linebacker Blake Cashman appeared to end the game with a sack during the Jaguars’ final possession. But Cashman grabbed Jaguars quarterback Mac Jones’ facemask, extending the drive. Then Jones inexplicably overthrew a deep pass into an interception by Vikings safety Camryn Bynum, whose Raygun celebration to honor the Olympic breakdancer from Australia was one of the only watchable parts of this game.
The Vikings gained possession at their own 1-yard line. Trying to run out the clock, running back Aaron Jones took a third-down handoff. Jaguars edge rusher Travon Walker, a former No. 1 overall pick, single-handedly ended his team’s chances when he came in late punching at the ball in Jones’ hands. An unnecessary roughness call on Walker gave the Vikings a first down and a chance to kneel out the clock. — ANDREW KRAMMER
2:50 p.m. Vikings interception yields no points
The Vikings defense got takeaways on back-to-back drives, this time getting a team-high fourth interception from Byron Murphy Jr. But instead of sealing the game, Sam Darnold was sacked on third-and-1 to push the Vikings out of field-goal range. The Vikings had to punt with 2:49 left.
2:40 p.m.: Vikings defense steps up
A quick score! The Vikings lead 12-7 after a 29-yard field goal by kicker Parker Romo. The Vikings’ first three scoring drives all needed at least 12 plays and five minutes of game time. But after a botched exchange involving Jaguars quarterback Mac Jones, the Vikings defense got a takeaway when defensive tackle Harrison Phillips recovered the fumble deep in Jaguars territory. Running back Cam Akers — replacing the injured Aaron Jones, who suffered a chest injury in the third quarter — took three carries for 14 yards before the drive stalled and led to a field goal. There’s 4:22 left in regulation. — ANDREW KRAMMER
2:30 p.m.: Vikings take lead on another Romo FG
Another field goal from Parker Romo gives the Vikings their first lead, 9-7, since the first quarter. Romo’s 34-yard field goal was barely good inside the right upright, illustrating just how closely the Vikings have cut this one against the lowly two-win Jaguars.
Read the recap: How Vikings eked out 12-7 win in Jacksonville
Romo’s third field goal ended another laborious 16-play, 68-yard drive in which the longest gains were a 26-yard catch and run by tight end T.J. Hockenson and a 10-yard scramble by quarterback Sam Darnold. Following a fourth-and-1 conversion, coach Kevin O’Connell went to his bag of tricks. But a double reverse from receiver Brandon Powell to receiver Jalen Nailor lost 7 yards and led to settling for a field goal.
The Vikings were without running back Aaron Jones on the drive. He was carted toward the X-ray room, has a chest injury and is questionable to return. — ANDREW KRAMMER
2:13 p.m.: Vikings pull to within 7-6
At least kicker Parker Romo, making his NFL debut, hasn’t been a problem for the Vikings so far. Romo made his second field goal of the day from 33 yards away, pulling the Vikings to within 7-6 of the Jaguars with 1:42 left in the third quarter. Romo earlier made a 45-yard field goal.
The Vikings’ 14-play, 71-yard drive stalled out after a fourth pre-snap penalty on offense negated a 14-yard catch and run by receiver Jordan Addison. Left tackle Cam Robinson, who was previously called for a false start, was flagged for illegal formation for lining up too far back. Right tackle Brian O’Neill and receiver Jalen Nailor have also been called for false starts today. — ANDREW KRAMMER
1:45 p.m.: Darnold-Jefferson connection misses again
The Vikings offense is heavily reliant on quarterback Sam Darnold in the red zone, where his 13 passing touchdowns account for an NFL-high 81% of the Vikings’ scores in the red zone.
That reliance has bitten the Vikings against the lowly Jaguars, who lead 7-3 early in the third quarter. The Vikings started the second half with the ball, but Darnold threw his second red-zone interception — doubling his season total of red-zone picks — with a late throw to receiver Justin Jefferson down the sideline. The Vikings have just three red-zone rushing touchdowns this season. It is worth nothing that coach Kevin O’Connell called three straight passing plays following a 13-yard run by Aaron Jones during that third-quarter drive. — ANDREW KRAMMER