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Vikings at Jaguars: Game preview, odds, prediction

By Russell S. Baxter

Dec 1, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Bradford (8) looks on during the fourth quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Cowboys defeated the Vikings 17-15. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 1, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Bradford (8) looks on during the fourth quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Cowboys defeated the Vikings 17-15. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /
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It’s been a disappointing stretch for the once-unbeaten Minnesota Vikings. It has been a disastrous year for the once-promising Jacksonville Jaguars.

From pleasant surprise to head-scratcher, watching the Minnesota Vikings lose six of their last seven games following a 5-0 start is pretty remarkable.

The Jacksonville Jaguars would love to have that problem. In their last seven outings, they have yet to produce a victory. Gus Bradley’s club sits at 2-10 and has suffered through a mistake-laden year.

Mike Zimmer and company still have eyes for the playoffs. Can they snap out of their recent funk and come away with a much-needed win on Sunday? The Vikings are just 2-4 on the road this season but are undefeated against the AFC South this year, winning at Tennessee and crushing the Houston Texans in Minneapolis.

Odds

Line: Vikings (-3.5)

Over/Under: 39

As for the Jaguars, it’s been a very long and disappointing year for a club with high expectations. Instead, they are tied with the New York Jets and San Diego Chargers with an NFL-worst 25 turnovers this season. A team that averaged 23.5 points per game a year ago has seen that figure drop to 18.7 points per contest. Quarterback Blake Bortles has all but six of those aforementioned giveaways and is completing only 58.4 percent of his passes this season.

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This is a very tricky spot for a Minnesota offensive unit struggling to put points on the board. Then again, this is a very opportunistic Vikings club that has scored six touchdowns via their defense and special teams. And given the Jaguars’ penchant for turnovers, they may get a chance or two to add to that number. But Zimmer’s run defense has become a concern. And a once-dormant ground attack that woke up last week against the Broncos will be the ultimate difference here.

Pick: Jaguars 22, Vikings 16

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