Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold is targeted on one statistic particularly as he and his teammates put together to go to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday afternoon.
No, it is not passing yards or touchdowns. It isn’t even victories or profitable share.
What’s Darnold serious about heading into Sunday’s kickoff? Turnovers — as in, limiting them, particularly after he threw two interceptions and misplaced a fumble final week.
“On the finish of the day, I must make smarter choices,” Darnold mentioned. “I simply need to proceed to make use of my eyes and my toes, and undergo my progressions, and proceed to belief that.”
Regardless of some bumps alongside the way in which, Darnold has led Minnesota (6-2) to a powerful begin to the season because it heads to Jacksonville (2-7). The Vikings are coming off a 21-13 residence win towards the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday night time, and so they have outscored opponents by 59 factors in 2024.
By comparability, Jacksonville is trying to rebound from back-to-back losses towards the Inexperienced Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles up to now two weeks. The Jaguars have a minus-57 level differential and sit in final place within the AFC South getting into Week 10.
An damage to Jaguars beginning quarterback Trevor Lawrence provides extra uncertainty to a staff that’s determined for a midseason turnaround. Lawrence damage his non-throwing shoulder and was restricted in observe on Wednesday. Jacksonville signed veteran quarterback C.J. Beathard as insurance coverage for Lawrence.
Beathard spent the offseason with Jacksonville and is accustomed to the playbook. If Lawrence can not go, Mac Jones seemingly would make the beginning and Beathard would function the backup.
“From our standpoint, we felt like we had a extremely good quarterback room with the three guys,” Jaguars coach Doug Pederson mentioned. “C.J. obtained damage there in camp and we needed to let him go and all that, however we positively needed to in some unspecified time in the future get him again right here.
“I believe it simply strengthens our roster, strengthens that room. Trevor’s sore, clearly, and it provides us assurance.”
Lawrence mentioned he hoped to not miss a beat. He absorbed successful to his left shoulder on a scramble.
“I am doing every little thing I can to be on the market,” Lawrence mentioned. “After I’ve gotten banged up up to now, simply attempt to do every little thing I can through the week to organize myself to play Sunday and put as a lot time as potential into that and getting wholesome. That is the way in which my thoughts is true now.”
The Vikings are also coping with accidents, albeit at much less heralded positions.
Minnesota signed kicker John Parker Romo this week to exchange injured rookie Will Reichard. The 27-year-old Romo gained a tryout this week on the Vikings’ coaching facility after Reichard went down with a strained proper quadriceps.
Vikings lengthy snapper Andrew DePaola additionally will miss the sport after present process surgical procedure on his proper hand. Minnesota signed veteran Jake McQuaide to take DePaola’s place.
The Jaguars and Vikings have performed seven occasions. Minnesota leads the all-time collection 6-1, together with a 27-24 additional time win within the groups’ most up-to-date matchup on Dec. 6, 2020.
Jacksonville is 2-2 at residence this season. Minnesota is 2-1 on the highway.
–Discipline Stage Media
