Minnesota Vikings vs Jacksonville Jaguars Match Player Stats
In what turned out to be a gritty, low-scoring affair, the Minnesota Vikings edged out the Jacksonville Jaguars with a final score of 12-7 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida, on 10 November 2024. A packed stadium of 65,695 fans witnessed a defensive-heavy battle that kept both sets of supporters on edge until the final whistle.
Although this fixture lacked the high-scoring thrills of a shootout, it more than made up for it with its tactical discipline, defensive intensity, and hard-earned yardage. The Vikings, now standing at 7-2 (3-1 Away), continued to strengthen their position in the NFC playoff picture, while the Jaguars, dropping to 2-8 (2-3 Home), faced another setback in a challenging season.
The game flow reflected the final scoreline. The Vikings scored in every quarter except the second, while the Jaguars opened with an early touchdown in the first quarter and were then shut out for the remaining three quarters. Here’s a breakdown of the quarter-by-quarter scores:
| Quarter | Vikings | Jaguars |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 3 | 7 |
| 2nd | 0 | 0 |
| 3rd | 3 | 0 |
| 4th | 6 | 0 |
| Final | 12 | 7 |
Which Quarterback Came Out on Top?
Quarterback play often defines a game’s outcome, and in this match, both signal callers had to battle through aggressive defensive pressure and strategic zone coverage.
Sam Darnold, leading the Vikings offence, put up better numbers on paper but had his share of mistakes. Mac Jones, under centre for the Jaguars, had a more subdued outing with limited opportunities to stretch the field.
| Player | Team | Completions/Attempts | Yards | Interceptions | Touchdowns |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sam Darnold | Vikings | 24/38 | 241 | 3 | 0 |
| Mac Jones | Jaguars | 14/22 | 111 | 2 | 1 |
Darnold’s 241 passing yards showed an ability to move the chains, but his three interceptions reflected erratic decision-making in the red zone and on key third downs. On the other hand, Mac Jones was efficient in short bursts but couldn’t establish rhythm or find deep targets against Minnesota’s disciplined secondary.
How Did the Running Game Shape Up?
Both sides struggled to break through on the ground, though the Vikings showed more persistence with the run. Aaron Jones Sr. led all rushers with a steady 88-yard performance on 17 carries, consistently gaining small chunks of yardage that helped Minnesota dominate possession time.
Travis Etienne Jr. led the Jaguars’ ground game but was held to only 44 yards on 11 carries, often bottled up at or near the line of scrimmage.
| Player | Team | Carries | Rushing Yards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aaron Jones Sr. | Vikings | 17 | 88 |
| Travis Etienne Jr. | Jaguars | 11 | 44 |
The difference in the run game played a quiet but crucial role in shaping the game’s pace, especially in the second half as the Vikings wore down the Jaguars’ defensive front.
Who Were the Key Receiving Targets?
With both quarterbacks under pressure, short and intermediate passes to tight ends and slot receivers became essential. The Vikings leaned heavily on T.J. Hockenson, who hauled in eight receptions for 72 yards, often providing crucial first downs.
The Jaguars found some consistency with Evan Engram, who led his team in receiving with 40 yards from six catches. However, Jacksonville’s passing game lacked depth, and no wide receiver was able to stretch the field or threaten the Vikings’ secondary.
| Player | Team | Receptions | Receiving Yards |
|---|---|---|---|
| T.J. Hockenson | Vikings | 8 | 72 |
| Evan Engram | Jaguars | 6 | 40 |
Overall, Minnesota’s receiving unit had more success creating separation and converting crucial third-down plays, even though they couldn’t find the end zone through the air.
What Were the Defensive Highlights?
Defence truly defined this matchup. With a total of six turnovers split evenly between the teams, both defensive units showed resilience and game awareness. Devin Lloyd emerged as a standout for the Jaguars with a game-high 16 total tackles, including 9 solo stops, proving his importance as a tackling machine.
For the Vikings, Andrew Van Ginkel recorded a sack and applied consistent pressure on Mac Jones. Stephon Gilmore contributed three solo tackles and provided tight coverage that helped force two of Jones’ interceptions.
| Player | Team | Total Tackles | Solo Tackles | Sacks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Devin Lloyd | Jaguars | 16 | 9 | 0 |
| Andrew Van Ginkel | Vikings | 4 | 2 | 1 |
| Travon Walker | Jaguars | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Stephon Gilmore | Vikings | 5 | 3 | 0 |
Minnesota’s defence deserves particular praise for shutting out the Jaguars in the final three quarters, forcing them to go three-and-out repeatedly and never allowing a rhythm to develop.
How Do the Full Team Stats Compare?
The final statistics emphasise just how thoroughly the Vikings controlled the game, despite the close scoreline. They more than doubled Jacksonville in total yardage, controlled the clock for over 42 minutes, and earned nearly three times as many first downs.
| Stat | Vikings | Jaguars |
|---|---|---|
| Total Yards | 402 | 143 |
| Turnovers | 3 | 3 |
| First Downs | 28 | 10 |
| Penalties (Yards) | 6 (40) | 3 (25) |
| 3rd Down Efficiency | 5/14 | 5/11 |
| 4th Down Efficiency | 1/1 | 0/0 |
| Red Zone Efficiency | 0/5 | 1/1 |
| Time of Possession | 42:19 | 17:41 |
The only area where Jacksonville succeeded was their lone red zone conversion, but their inability to stay on the field for more than short stretches ultimately cost them.
How Does This Game Fit Into the Teams’ Historical Record?
This game added another chapter to the one-sided historical rivalry between the two franchises. Out of eight meetings, Minnesota has now won seven, including five straight since 2004. The Jaguars’ only win came back in 2001.
| Matchup Date | Result | Score | Vikings Record |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 Dec 1998 | Vikings Win | 50–10 | 1–0 |
| 23 Dec 2001 | Jaguars Win | 33–3 | 1–1 |
| 28 Nov 2004 | Vikings Win | 27–16 | 2–1 |
| 23 Nov 2008 | Vikings Win | 30–12 | 3–1 |
| 09 Sep 2012 | Vikings Win | 26–23 | 4–1 |
| 11 Dec 2016 | Vikings Win | 25–16 | 5–1 |
| 06 Dec 2020 | Vikings Win | 27–24 | 6–1 |
| 10 Nov 2024 | Vikings Win | 12–7 | 7–1 |
Over the course of these meetings, Minnesota has averaged 34.6 points per game, while the Jaguars have averaged 17.9, highlighting the historical gap in performance.
What Can We Expect From Both Teams Moving Forward?
The Vikings have demonstrated they can win ugly, which is an essential trait for playoff-bound teams. Their defence continues to perform, and if they can reduce turnovers, they have the potential to be a serious post-season threat.
For the Jaguars, this was another step back in a difficult season. There are glimpses of talent, particularly on defence, but offensive inconsistency and a lack of execution continue to plague the team. Building around younger pieces like Devin Lloyd and Travis Etienne Jr. should remain the priority for the remainder of the campaign.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the time of possession in the Vikings vs Jaguars game?
The Vikings controlled the ball for 42 minutes and 19 seconds, compared to the Jaguars’ 17 minutes and 41 seconds.
How many turnovers occurred in the game?
There were a total of six turnovers three by each team.
Who was the top tackler in the game?
Devin Lloyd of the Jaguars recorded 16 total tackles, including 9 solo stops.
What’s the all-time record between the Vikings and Jaguars?
The Vikings lead the all-time series 7-1.
Who had more total yards?
The Minnesota Vikings had significantly more total yards, finishing with 402 compared to Jacksonville’s 143.
Was this a high-scoring game?
No, the game ended 12-7, with only two touchdowns scored in total.
How efficient were the teams in the red zone?
Jacksonville was 1/1 in the red zone, while Minnesota failed to score on all five of its red zone attempts.
