**Vikings Edge Jaguars Despite Turnover Woes**

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Post on Nov 11, 2024

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Vikings Edge Jaguars Despite Turnover Woes

The Minnesota Vikings escaped Jacksonville with a hard-fought 24-21 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 13, but not without a few nervous moments. Despite a season-high five turnovers, the Vikings' defense held strong and Kirk Cousins orchestrated a crucial late drive to seal the win.

Turnovers Plague the Vikings

The Vikings' offense, usually a well-oiled machine, sputtered throughout the game. Cousins, who has been known for his consistency, threw three interceptions, including two that were returned for touchdowns by the Jaguars' defense. The Vikings also lost two fumbles, one of which led to another Jacksonville touchdown.

Despite these costly mistakes, Minnesota's defense stepped up to keep the Jaguars in check. They forced a fumble and picked off Trevor Lawrence once, keeping the score manageable and giving the Vikings a chance to claw their way back into the game.

Cousins Leads Late Charge

Trailing by three points with just over three minutes left, Cousins took over. He calmly drove the Vikings down the field, completing key passes to Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen, before finding tight end T.J. Hockenson for the game-winning touchdown with 1:52 remaining.

The Jaguars had one final chance to tie the game, but their drive stalled at the Vikings' 20-yard line. A desperate Hail Mary attempt on the final play was intercepted by Patrick Peterson, ending the game and securing the Vikings' victory.

What This Means for the Vikings

The win moves Minnesota to 9-3 on the season, solidifying their position atop the NFC North. However, the sloppy performance against the Jaguars raises concerns about their ability to maintain consistency, especially with a tough schedule ahead.

The Vikings need to clean up their turnover woes if they want to make a serious playoff push. While the defense proved resilient, relying solely on their defensive performance is not a sustainable strategy.

Takeaways for the Jaguars

Despite the loss, the Jaguars showed signs of progress. Their defense played well, especially in forcing turnovers and creating pressure on Cousins.

However, they struggled to finish drives, especially in the red zone. The lack of a consistent running game also hurt the Jaguars' ability to control the pace of the game.

Key Players

Vikings:

• Kirk Cousins: 21/31, 227 yards, 1 TD, 3 INT, 1 fumble
• Justin Jefferson: 7 catches, 108 yards
• T.J. Hockenson: 3 catches, 74 yards, 1 TD
• Patrick Peterson: 1 interception

Jaguars:

• Trevor Lawrence: 23/36, 278 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
• Travis Etienne Jr.: 21 carries, 68 yards, 1 TD
• Christian Kirk: 6 catches, 127 yards
• Tyson Campbell: 1 interception, 1 touchdown

The Vikings' victory, while hard-earned, will be a valuable lesson learned. They must clean up their mistakes and rediscover their offensive rhythm if they want to reach their full potential. The Jaguars, on the other hand, showed promise, but they need to build upon their offensive efficiency and develop a more consistent scoring threat.