Vikings at Jaguars Depth Chart Preview - 2024
Nov 9, 2024 15:51:21 GMT -6
Reignman, Funkytown, and 2 more like this
Post by Danchat on Nov 9, 2024 15:51:21 GMT -6
The games against the AFC South continue as the Vikings start a three game road trip, they can avoid a blip against a bad Jaguars team?
Injury Report
Vikings
ILB Cashman - Questionable
ILB Pace Jr - Questionable
Jaguars
LG Cleveland - Out
DT Smith - Out
WR Davis - Questionable
RB Johnson - Questionable
QB Lawrence - Questionable
WR Thomas Jr - Questionable
S Thomas - Questionable
Point Spread: MIN -7
SuperSim Calculated spread: MIN -9
* My Thoughts *
* This roster isn't the worst, but it's my belief that the coaching is making the least of it. The defense should not be a bottom three unit and the offense has the tools to be an average unit, but they consistently underachieve. Pederson and Nielson have to go.
* Mac Jones has yet to start a game as a Jaguar, but based on his recent play with the Patriots, it's hard to argue he doesn't deserve his poor ratings. His receivers leave something to be desired past Engram and BTJ. Thomas Jr has been a home run of a 1st round pick as he looks the part of a true WR1, but he is dealing with a chest injury that limited him last week. Engram is a quality chains-mover and PPR contributor. Gabe Davis flunked out of Buffalo and has been even worse in Jacksonville, it was dumb to give him $11M per year (same price as an elite RB!). Washington can't get open and there's nothing behind him with much upside.
* The Jags have tried to rely on the run game and the surprising sophomore Tank Bigsby has been a godsend with 5.5 yards per carry, but it's fair to note that a couple games have inflated that. He's in a full-blown rotation with Etienne, who is banged up and not looking quite as good as his 2022-23 self. I'm not concerned about their run game doing much damage.
* The OL is in questionable shape after the trade of Cam Robinson. Little has been a mediocre replacement and with Cleveland hurt, there's not a whole lot else on this line that pushes the needle. Morse and Scherff are both past their peaks and are in decline but not bad players, while Harrison has gotten worse after a shaky rookie season. Hance is likely to be the starting LG and will likely be a liability.
* The Jags have talent on the D-line with the steady Hines-Allen (formerly just Allen) as the top pass rusher with an ascending Travon Walker finally beginning to look less like a bust. They threw some cash at Armstead to provide some interior rush, but he's been a major disappointment with only 12 pressures on the year. This has left the DT position bone-dry with Hamilton a run-only specialist, and the likes of Lacy and Ledbetter not pushing the needle and Maason Smith not looking good (he was a reach in the 2nd round anyway).
* While the LBs have strong tackling and run-stuffing numbers, they're weak in coverage as the three starters have allowed a combined 55 catches on 65 targets for 501 yards.
* The secondary has been JAX's worst unit, having bottom 3 numbers in nearly all categories. Their safeties have been the biggest issue, with Cisco having a bad year in coverage after a strong 2023 season, and needing to bench Antonio Johnson and move Savage from a slot defender back to safety. He's been a flop at both positions. Campbell is back from the IR but he isn't a CB1 like they paid him to be. Darby is having a career worst season, whereas Jones is having a solid rookie year as their nickel CB.
Prediction: Vikings 30, Jaguars 14
I rarely predict blowouts, but in this situation I believe it is warranted. The Vikings are better in every phase of the game than the Jags, especially coaching. Flores' defense should be able to shut down the run game and force Mac Jones to make quick decisions and that should be a formula that generates a couple turnovers. Offensively, there isn't much to worry about in either phase of the game as long as Darnold limits the interceptions and back-breaking sacks. Given the parity the NFL has the Vikings are likely to lose a game or two to a team with a losing record, but I think this one is less likely than the next two weeks.
Any thoughts?
Injury Report
Vikings
ILB Cashman - Questionable
ILB Pace Jr - Questionable
Jaguars
LG Cleveland - Out
DT Smith - Out
WR Davis - Questionable
RB Johnson - Questionable
QB Lawrence - Questionable
WR Thomas Jr - Questionable
S Thomas - Questionable
Point Spread: MIN -7
SuperSim Calculated spread: MIN -9
* My Thoughts *
* This roster isn't the worst, but it's my belief that the coaching is making the least of it. The defense should not be a bottom three unit and the offense has the tools to be an average unit, but they consistently underachieve. Pederson and Nielson have to go.
* Mac Jones has yet to start a game as a Jaguar, but based on his recent play with the Patriots, it's hard to argue he doesn't deserve his poor ratings. His receivers leave something to be desired past Engram and BTJ. Thomas Jr has been a home run of a 1st round pick as he looks the part of a true WR1, but he is dealing with a chest injury that limited him last week. Engram is a quality chains-mover and PPR contributor. Gabe Davis flunked out of Buffalo and has been even worse in Jacksonville, it was dumb to give him $11M per year (same price as an elite RB!). Washington can't get open and there's nothing behind him with much upside.
* The Jags have tried to rely on the run game and the surprising sophomore Tank Bigsby has been a godsend with 5.5 yards per carry, but it's fair to note that a couple games have inflated that. He's in a full-blown rotation with Etienne, who is banged up and not looking quite as good as his 2022-23 self. I'm not concerned about their run game doing much damage.
* The OL is in questionable shape after the trade of Cam Robinson. Little has been a mediocre replacement and with Cleveland hurt, there's not a whole lot else on this line that pushes the needle. Morse and Scherff are both past their peaks and are in decline but not bad players, while Harrison has gotten worse after a shaky rookie season. Hance is likely to be the starting LG and will likely be a liability.
* The Jags have talent on the D-line with the steady Hines-Allen (formerly just Allen) as the top pass rusher with an ascending Travon Walker finally beginning to look less like a bust. They threw some cash at Armstead to provide some interior rush, but he's been a major disappointment with only 12 pressures on the year. This has left the DT position bone-dry with Hamilton a run-only specialist, and the likes of Lacy and Ledbetter not pushing the needle and Maason Smith not looking good (he was a reach in the 2nd round anyway).
* While the LBs have strong tackling and run-stuffing numbers, they're weak in coverage as the three starters have allowed a combined 55 catches on 65 targets for 501 yards.
* The secondary has been JAX's worst unit, having bottom 3 numbers in nearly all categories. Their safeties have been the biggest issue, with Cisco having a bad year in coverage after a strong 2023 season, and needing to bench Antonio Johnson and move Savage from a slot defender back to safety. He's been a flop at both positions. Campbell is back from the IR but he isn't a CB1 like they paid him to be. Darby is having a career worst season, whereas Jones is having a solid rookie year as their nickel CB.
Prediction: Vikings 30, Jaguars 14
I rarely predict blowouts, but in this situation I believe it is warranted. The Vikings are better in every phase of the game than the Jags, especially coaching. Flores' defense should be able to shut down the run game and force Mac Jones to make quick decisions and that should be a formula that generates a couple turnovers. Offensively, there isn't much to worry about in either phase of the game as long as Darnold limits the interceptions and back-breaking sacks. Given the parity the NFL has the Vikings are likely to lose a game or two to a team with a losing record, but I think this one is less likely than the next two weeks.
Any thoughts?
In fact he reminds me of some guy named Jones. 
I wonder how bad we lose to First Round Barbie.
