Jeff Diamond’s Jaguars-Vikings Preview
 warms up next to quarterback Mac Jones (10) before an NFL football matchup Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. © Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.</p>
<p>” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/USATSI_24600973.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=785,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/USATSI_24600973.jpg”><figcaption><span>Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) warms up next to quarterback Mac Jones (10) before an NFL football matchup Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. © Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.</span></figcaption></figure>
<p>Nothing comes easy in the NFL, but the Vikings’ upcoming three straight road games — 2-7 Jacksonville, 2-6 Tennessee, and 4-4 Chicago — are certainly winnable if the team plays well.</p>
<p>There are always obstacles to overcome in an NFL season, even for playoff-bound teams. For the Vikings, it was bouncing back from losses to the Lions and Rams and a halftime deficit on Sunday night to <a href=)
beat the Colts. And injuries are always a factor to deal with during the long season.
Jeff Diamond’s Jaguars-Vikings Preview
Blake Cashman’s turf toe injury played a significant role in the two losses, as the defense was without its leading tackler and an excellent pass defender. Cashman has been limited in practice this week, but Kevin O’Connell expects him to be back on Sunday against the Jaguars.
Cam Robinson stepped in and played well in his first game as Christian Darrisaw’s replacement at left tackle. He faces his former team on Sunday after last week’s trade.
The Vikings’ other big issue this week is that they will have a new kicker in John Parker Romo (replacing star rookie kicker Will Reichard, who is on IR with a quad injury) and a new long snapper in Jake McQuaide (replacing Pro Bowler Andrew DePaola, who is on IR with a hand injury).
 kicks a extra point against Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ryan Hunt-USA TODAY Sports.</p>
<p>” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/USATSI_16748779.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=787,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/USATSI_16748779.jpg” src=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/USATSI_16748779.jpg” alt=”New Vikings Kicker”><figcaption> Ryan Hunt-USA TODAY Sports.<span></span></figcaption></figure>
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<p>It will be Romo’s first NFL regular-season game, but he kicked successfully in the XFL last year. McQuaide is a 14-year veteran who was a two-time Pro Bowler with the Rams.</p>
<p>In Jacksonville, the big story is whether QB Trevor Lawrence will be able to play with his injured shoulder. He’s been limited in practice this week, and the rumblings are that he may miss this game. Former Patriots starter Mac Jones is the backup, and the Jaguars signed vet C.J. Beathard to be the No. 2 if Lawrence is out (which they wouldn’t have done if Lawrence was a sure thing).</p>
<p>Lawrence has been up and down this season (11 TDs, 6 interceptions, 87.9 passer rating ranks 23rd), and he threw two interceptions (including one that ended the game) in last Sunday’s 28-23 loss at Philadelphia. But the Vikings would surely rather face Jones than Lawrence, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 draft who received a $55 million per year extension prior to this season (tied for second richest contract behind Dak Prescott).</p>
<p><strong>Here are my keys to a Vikings victory over the Jaguars:</strong></p>
<p><strong>1. </strong>Jump out to a lead: The Vikings moved the ball on offense in the first half against the Colts but couldn’t convert it into points, as opposed to most games this season when the offense has started fast, such as in Green Bay (28-0 second-quarter lead) and at the Rams (TDs on their first two drives).</p>
<p>The Jaguars trailed the Eagles 22-0 last Sunday before rallying. However, they fell behind Green Bay (10-0) and Chicago (21-3) in losses to other NFC North opponents.</p>
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Jeff Diamond is a former Vikings GM, former Tennessee Titans President and was selected NFL Executive of the Year after the Vikings’ 15-1 season in 1998. He now works for the NFL agent group IFA based in Minneapolis and does other sports consulting and media work along with college/corporate speaking. Follow him and direct message him on Twitter– @jeffdiamondnfl.
