4 Bold Predictions for Minnesota Vikings’ Week 10 Matchup vs Jaguars

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Minnesota Vikings
Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

After losing two in a row, the Minnesota Vikings got back into the victory column last Sunday. Can they maintain their momentum? Facing off against a 2-7 Jacksonville Jaguars team that has an ailing Trevor Lawrence? We like the Vikings’ chances.

Whether the the former No. 1 overall pick can go or not, Sunday should be a victory for the Vikings. Even after losing two-thirds of their special teams starters to injury, Minnesota is just better than Jacksonville.

On paper, this matchup has the potential to be the most dominant purple performance of the entire season, but this is the NFL, where nothing is that easy? Below, we tap into four bold predictions for Sunday’s Vikings vs. Jaguars game.

Sam Darnold scores a career-high five touchdowns

Vikings QB Sam Darnold has accounted for four touchdowns on three separate occasions in his seven-year career. One even came in Week 3 with the Vikings. But he’s never combined to score five touchdowns in a single game. We’ve already seen Darnold have a game with four touchdown passes.

We’ve also seen how mobile the former No. 3 overall pick is by picking up 12 first downs as a rusher this season. The Jaguars have allowed the ninth-most rushing touchdowns in the NFL and the second-most passing touchdowns, which gives Darnold a strong chance of setting a new career-high on Sunday, combining for five scores.

Related: Sam Darnold’s Contract Ranks as One of NFL’s Most Valuable Assets

Cam Akers racks up 80+ yards for first time with Minnesota Vikings

Recent addition Cam Akers provided a jolt of energy in last Sunday’s win, racking up 46 rushing yards despite getting just six carries. It’s become obvious that he’s now the preferred secondary option to Aaron Jones, quickly surpassing Ty Chandler. Expect that to continue in Week 10 after last week’s performance.

Related: ESPN Analytics Guy Trashes Vikings Trade for Cam Robinson

Seeing Akers average 7.7 YPC could earn him a bigger role on Sundays, especially if the Jaguars game turns into a blowout. If the Vikings find themselves with a two or three-possession lead, it only makes sense to give Jones more rest while evaluating what Akers and even Chandler have in the tank. In other words, don’t be surprised if Akers has his best game yet as a member of the Vikings.

Dallas Turner records first career multi-sack game

Dallas Turner, Minnesota Vikings
Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

It was hard not to notice Dallas Turner’s snaps increase last Sunday, seeing action on 25 defensive plays. Part of his sudden surge has to do with the extended absence of Blake Cashman, plus Andrew Van Ginkel being a bit banged up last Sunday. Yet, Turner did well with his opportunities, earning a career-high 73.1 pass-rushing grade from Pro Football Focus.

Turner also had a new personal best of four pressures, three hurries, and one hit. He was also credited with a run stop. But he hasn’t had a sack since his season debut in Week 1. This week, he gets to go up against a Jaguars offensive line that PFF ranks as the 11th-worst unit in the league.

Related: Cowboys Waive Former Minnesota Vikings Cornerback

The Jaguars have allowed the 19th-fewest sacks in the NFL, but they no longer have Cam Robinson at left tackle, and their right tackle, Anton Harrison, is tied for allowing the 15th-most pressures among tackles. Jacksonville’s shaky offensive line could present the perfect opportunity for Turner to build off last week’s momentum and have his first two-sack game as a member of the Vikings.

Ivan Pace Jr. scores another Minnesota Vikings defensive touchdown

Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores has mastered the art of confusing his opponents. Meanwhile, Ivan Pace Jr. is a jack of all trades, capable of getting run stops, pressuring quarterbacks, and using his impressive athleticism to get out in coverage too.

Pace plays like his hair is on fire, flying around the field to make his presence felt. We saw just how valuable that can be when he returned a fumble recovery 36 yards for a touchdown against Detroit.

Defensive touchdowns are rare, but the Jaguars will either have a QB playing at less than 100% or one who’s supposed to be a backup, which tends to create its own form of chaos. If Coach Flores can press all the right buttons and players follow through with his orders, we could see multiple takeaways, and Pace has the type of speed to bring one back to the house.

  • Vikings vs Jaguars prediction: Vikings 28, Jaguars 13

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