Vikings Wire staff predictions: Previewing Minnesota’s tilt vs. the Jacksonville Jaguars

Jack White
·2 min read

Minnesota’s victory over Carolina may have gotten the team’s season back on track.

The Vikings — once on a three-game winning streak — had their second half surge spoiled by the Cowboys. The loss to Dallas put Minnesota at 4-6, leaving the team without much margin for error the rest of the way.

Then, the Vikings beat a team they were supposed to: the Panthers. Minnesota pulled off a 28-27 victory at home to move to 5-6.

Now, the team has a chance to get back to .500. Unlike the game against Dallas, if Minnesota losses this contest, the playoffs will seem improbable, due to the Jaguars’ talent this season and the Vikings’ schedule the rest of the way.

Here are the Vikings Wire staff predictions:

Jack White — Vikings Wire

Photo: Jim Mone/AP Photo

This isn’t a great Vikings team, but the Jaguars are one of the worst teams in the league. Dalvin Cook could have a big day. I think this is a game Minnesota is capable of losing, but the team will have enough to avoid the upset. Vikings 21, Jaguars 10

Kyle Ratke — Vikings Wire

Photo: Jim Mone/AP Photo

I picked up the Vikings' defense in a pure desperation move in one of my fantasy leagues. Will I regret that move? Most certainly. I still think the Vikings come away with the win, though, and move back to .500. Vikings 31, Jaguars 23

Jack Day — Vikings Wire

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) celebrates after throwing a pass for a touchdown to wide receiver Chad Beebe (12) (not pictured) in the fourth quarter during an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020, in Minneapolis. The Vikings defeated the Panthers 28-27. (AP Photo/David Berding)

This game has been labeled by some as a trap game, but I don’t think Mike Zimmer is going to allow his team to underperform against a Jaguars team that seems to be tanking for a top quarterback. I feel like this is going to be a “get right” type of game for the Vikings’ defense, but the Jaguars skill position players shouldn’t be taken lightly. Kirk Cousins is going to have another big day with the return of Adam Thielen and I fully expect both him and Justin Jefferson to have a big day against a bad Jaguars secondary. Vikings 34 Jaguars 17