VIKINGS AT JAGUARS

OVERVIEW

Since Week 6, Minnesota and Jacksonville own the same number of victories – one. Each club is in its conference’s most disappointing division, yet the Vikings still have hope because of the way they stormed out of the gate. Nonetheless, they’ll likely need to win out to salvage their season and, potentially, NFC North title defense. Against a Jaguars club playing out the string under deadman- walking Gus Bradley, the Vikings should be able to start the final quarter on a positive note. Head coach Mike Zimmer, who missed Minnesota’s Week 12 home defeat to Dallas on ‘ Thursday Night Football’ due to an emergency eye surgery – his third procedure in a month – returns. Even Zimmer would’ve seen the roughing the passer call on Sam Bradford’s potential game- tying two- point conversion pass attempt that the officials missed. And even Zimmer would’ve been proud of defensive coordinator George Edward’s game plan, executed masterfully by his players, in the coach’s absence. Yet the Vikings’ 4.6 yards per offensive play vs. Dallas, one- tenth below their league- worst season mark, is untenable. For all of the heat Bradford takes – from opposing pass rushers and the media – he’s having a career season by nearly every objective measure. The Vikings can’t run, can’t protect and can’t get open downfield. Besides that, everything is going swimmingly.

MATCHUP TO WATCH

Who said Blake Bortles wasn’t consistent? His completion percentage has deteriorated in each of his three seasons while he’s again on pace to lead the NFL in turnovers. Bortles gave it away three more times in Jacksonville’s 10th defeat, 20- 10 at home to the Broncos on Sunday, and only three clubs have more takeaways than the Vikings’ 22. Xavier Rhodes, who continues to shine, vs. Allen Robinson and DRE Everson Griffen battling LT Kelvin Beachum are matchups to watch. If Minnesota can’t score on offense, it’ll turn to defense and special teams.