JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Florida National News) – The Jacksonville Jaguars (2-8) lost to the Minnesota Vikings (7-2), 12-7, effectively ending the Jaguars’ chances of making the playoffs this season. QB Mac Jones, a Jacksonville native who was traded by the New England Patriots in March, made his first start for the Jaguars today, as Trevor Lawrence recovers from a shoulder injury he suffered last week. The Jags also signed QB C.J. Beathard from the Miami Dolphins’ practice squad this week to back up Jones. Beathard played in 13 games for the Jaguars from 2021-2023.
C.J. Beathard signed with the Jaguars this week. (Photo credit: Mike Brodsky, Florida National News)
The Vikings were the first to score, on a 45 yard field goal by K John Parker Romo. But the Jaguars responded with a touchdown as Mac Jones dove one yard into the end zone to put the finishing touch on their scoring drive. K Cam Little’s extra point put the Jags up 7-3. Despite a pair of interceptions of QB Sam Darnold passes by LB Foyesade Oluokun and CB Montaric Brown, the Jaguars were unable to score on either of those subsequent drives, and the score remained 7-3 at halftime.
In the third quarter, the Jaguars got another interception of a Darnold pass by S Darnell Savage to stop a Vikings drive that would have likely ended in points, but the Jags were unable to score. The Vikings next drive ended with a 33 yard John Parker Romo field goal, to narrow their deficit to 7-6 at the end of the third quarter.
Midway through the fourth quarter, Romo added a 34 yard field goal to put the Vikings ahead 9-7. A Mac Jones fumble two downs later returned the ball to the Vikings, and Romo’s 29 yard field goal extended their lead to 12-7. An interception by Byron Murphy Jr. of a Mac Jones pass gave the ball back to the Vikings. The Jags’ defense shut down Minnesota’s drive, giving the Jaguars one more chance to score, but a Hail Mary pass by Jones was intercepted by S Camryn Bynum. The final score remained 12-7.
Mac Jones starts his first game with the Jaguars. (Photo credit: Mike Brodsky, Florida National News)
Mac Jones finished with 111 yards and no passing touchdowns, but he did have a rushing TD. Travis Etienne Jr. led the Jaguars’ rushing with 44 yards. Evan Engram was the leading receiver with 40 yards. Today’s attendance was 65,695.
The Jaguars head to Detroit to face the Lions on Sunday, 11/17. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. After a bye in week 11, the Jaguars’ next home game will be against the Houston Texans on Sunday, 12/1 at 1:00 p.m. Be sure to follow www.FloridaSportsChannel.com and www.FloridaNationalNews.com for more.
