Woeful offenses collide as Vikings, Jaguars try to end skids

Earlier in the day, it was reported that Berger had indeed cleared the NFL’s concussion protocol and would be able to take part in Sunday’s game against the Jaguars. “So, I think, there has been a lot of good things, and obviously, there are some things he has got to clean up”. The last time the 31-year-old power back played in a meaningless road game on a chewed-up field on Christmas Eve, he was carted out of Washington with torn knee ligaments.

Minnesota has lost two straight and six of its last seven to drop to 6-6 on the year. “I’m not going to get into details about that, but my vision is making it to the playoffs”. Despite their record, the Jaguars boast one of the toughest defenses in the league-really. The most obvious example came in 2014 when he faced child-abuse charges and yet somehow came away angry at the Vikings after he was suspended for most of that season. “There’s a lot of guys on that team that I know”. The bad news, however, is Bradley is a strong defensive coach and the Jaguars have a young and talented defense which is fifth in the National Football League in yards allowed. Wash also agrees with Bradley, that the unit they’ve put together is capable of reaching that elite status. The Jaguars defense is the non-proverbial “break but don’t bend” defense (if we say it enough, perhaps it can become proverbial). “We want to play at a high standard. We’ve got to continue to fight through it”. I think the final score will be even lower, as the Vikings will need their defense to step up again to get an important victory. Make sure Mariota is out of your lineup. But he has eight catches for 73 yards and a touchdown in the past three games, and the Jaguars have gone more than a month without a play gaining at least 30 yards. Sure, the Chiefs hold on to the AFC West lead, but just one more loss for KC than Oakland over the last four tilts and the Raiders are back on top.

The Jaguars on Friday listed as out defensive back Peyton Thompson (ankle), wide receiver Allen Hurns (hamstring), defensive end Jared Odrick (shoulder), quarterback Denard Robinson (ankle) and tight end Julius Thomas (ankle) and as questionable running back Chris Ivory (hamstring), center Brandon Linder (ankle) and linebacker Dan Skuta (elbow). While he said he believes the Jaguars’ offense is headed in the right direction under new offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, Bortles is coming off a game against the Denver Broncos where he completed just 19 of 42 passes for 181 yards, while being picked off twice. Miller made just three tackles and had no sacks until late in the game when he pushed Parnell into Blake Bortles, causing him to fumble.

“As far as previous year, things are a little bit different, like smooth sailing, good things happen, everybody’s happy”, receiver Stefon Diggs said, thinking back to an NFC North-championship winning season in 2015. If anything were to happen to Minnesota’s starting quarterback, the heap of garbage that this season has already turned into would likely just light itself on fire.