Mac Jones – Syndication Server

Jaguars vs. Raiders: Key matchups

The Jacksonville Jaguars head into Week 16 against Las Vegas with some offensive momentum following a productive Sunday in their loss to the New York Jets.

One of the key storylines from the Jaguars’ defeat is their franchise record-setting rookie wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr., who has emerged as one of the best young playmakers in the league. Jacksonville’s first-round selection will be a high-level target for a healthy Trevor Lawrence in 2025 and beyond.

This week against the Raiders, the Jaguars have a chance to add another win to their lowly season total against a team projected to be selected within the first three slots in April’s NFL Draft.

Jaguars Wire takes a closer look at the key matchups ahead of Sunday’s late afternoon bout with Desmond Ridder and the Raiders.

Jaguars secondary and linebackers vs. Raiders TE Brock Bowers

This weekend will feature two highly regarded rookie skill players, Thomas and Raiders tight end Brock Bowers, who have quickly become franchise cornerstones on their respective teams.

Bowers himself is on his way to a record-breaking rookie season as he is just over 100 yards away from breaking Mike Ditka’s rookie record for receiving yards by a tight end at 1,076.

Against a Jaguars defense that ranks last in yards allowed (396.4), Bowers has a good chance to break the record this weekend. However, there is a way to keep this from happening for at least another week.

If Jacksonville wants to slow down Bowers, match zone and heavy man coverage will be key. One idea is to allow Tyson Campbell to travel with Bowers and limit his productivity or play match coverage on the second level against Foye Oluokun, Devin Lloyd, or rookie nickelback Jarrian Jones, who we highlighted in this week’s All-22 review.

Either way, Bowers is the best player on the field for the Raiders at the moment. Limiting him would clear a path for a potential Jaguars victory in the Nevada desert.

Jaguars RB Tank Bisgby vs. Raiders defense

With Travis Etienne Jr. back in the starting lineup, Tank Bigsby’s rushing production has varied. His highest rushing total in his last five games is 55 yards. Yet, he continues to create yards after contact and make defenders miss in space at a steady clip.

The Raiders’ rushing defense could provide Bisgby with a productive game. According to Next Gen Stats, they have the 10th-highest missed crackle rate in the league at 13.9 percent. Bigsby has the third-highest missed tackle rate in the league at 36 percent.

Those numbers translate on film as well. Bigsby has a strong contract balance and jittery footwork that allows him to create yards in space consistently. A noisy day from the former Auburn Tiger tailback could spell success for Jacksonville.

Jaguars QB Mac Jones vs. Raiders QB (TBD)

Close your eyes football fans. This is not the superstar quarterback matchup you might hope for this weekend. One of the paths to success for either team is which signal-caller can play a cleaner game.

There is a possibility that Aidan O’Connell will return to the starting lineup for the Raiders this weekend. However, Desmond Ridder could be in line to start again if O’Connell can’t go (or if Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce were to make another quarterback change).

Ridder was efficient on quick-tempo passes against his former team on Monday night, the Atlanta Falcons, going 11-of-15 for 114 yards and one touchdown in that respect, according to Next Gen Stats.

Yet, he also demonstrated why he is already on the third team within one league year. Far too often, he put the ball in harm’s way and made inaccurate throws.

O’Connell doesn’t come without risk either but is a more effective vertical passer, potentially allowing Bowers to see more production downfield. However, neither are particularly great options.

Jones is also a quarterback prone to making questionable throws, including two interceptions against the Jets. He enters the weekend with a four-to-seven touchdown-to-interception ratio on the season.

While he did give Thomas, second-year tight end Brenton Strange and wide receiver Parker Washington chances to make plays, Jones’ knack for turning the ball over at the worst times continues to plague him.

That said, if Jones were to put up similar numbers to what he did in place of Trevor Lawrence against Houston three weeks ago, there is a sound opportunity for Jacksonville to get its fourth win of the season in Sin City.

Thomas, Adams combine for four TDs in Jaguars’ 32-25 loss to Jets

A record-setting performance by Jaguars rookie wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. was overshadowed by one of the best showings of Jets wide receiver Davante Adams’ career on Sunday.

Despite Thomas establishing new Jaguars rookie receiving records for yards and touchdowns in the first quarter and building upon those marks throughout the contest, a nine-reception, 198-yard, two-touchdown second half by Adams lifted New York (4-10) to a 32-25 victory over Jacksonville (3-11) in Week 15.

Thomas finished with 105 yards and two touchdowns over 10 receptions, the latter two stats being single-game bests for Jacksonville’s rookie sensation. He now has 64 catches for 956 yards and eight touchdowns on the year.

But after being held without a catch in the first half, Adams exploded by hauling in all but one of his 10 second-half targets, with at least two grabs on each of the Jets’ scoring drives.

Among those catches were a one-yard touchdown reception that gave New York its first lead of the game, 17-16 in the third quarter, and a 71-yard score to make it 25-22 in the fourth quarter. Adams also converted a two-point try after his second touchdown.

Adams’ 198 yards were the second-most he has recorded in a game in his 11-season NFL career.

A fourth-quarter, 43-yard field goal by Jacksonville rookie kicker Cam Little created a 25-25 tie with 1:56 left in regulation.

It was more than enough time for Adams, New York quarterback Aaron Rodgers and the Jets’ offense to march down the field and retake the lead. The quarterback-receiver tandem connected twice for 64 yards over the seven-play series, setting up a one-yard, go-ahead rushing touchdown by running back Breece Hall.

Jacksonville got the ball back with 1:05 on the clock but could not find similar success to New York offensively.

Over five plays beginning 70 yards away from the goal line, Jaguars quarterback Mac Jones completed three passes for 23 yards, tossed a deep incompletion, and was ultimately intercepted by Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner on his final throw of the game, a deep pass to Jacksonville wide receiver Parker Washington.

The pick muddied what was quarterback Mac Jones’ best performance in place of injured starter Trevor Lawrence this season. Jones completed 31-of-47 passes for 294 yards, the seventh-most in a game in his career, with two touchdowns and two interceptions.

The Jaguars will travel to Las Vegas to face the Raiders in Week 16, at 4:25 p.m. ET next Sunday.

Mac Jones helped the Jaguars tank by weirdly giving up on a red-zone play vs. Jets

Mac Jones has absolutely zero awareness.

With Trevor Lawrence injured, Mac Jones has been trying to rehabilitate his NFL career as the Jacksonville Jaguars’ starting quarterback. I say “trying” because it’s not going well. Jones is one of the worst quarterbacks in professional football on an efficiency basis.

The eye test says much of the same. Though, I suppose the woeful Jaguars shouldn’t be too mad about Jones being awful if it helps their 2025 draft pick this coming April.

We saw this firsthand on Sunday afternoon when the Jaguars faced a second-and-goal against the New York Jets. As Jones rolled out to find a Jets receiver on a broken play, he stopped playing altogether.

I’m not joking.

Jones literally stopped dead in his tracks and pulled up in bounds to take a sack for a seven-yard loss for no reason. As a result, the Jaguars would have to settle for a field goal. Man, c’mon:

lol Mac Jones pic.twitter.com/EvRjeygx5f

— Nate Tice (@Nate_Tice) December 15, 2024

Even if Jones didn’t trust a throw to any of the Jaguars’ pass-catchers, he has no reason to take the sack here. He waved the white flag just because. He could’ve at least tossed the ball out of bounds instead of taking the negative play the way any competent quarterback did.

Ah, but that’s the rub. Jones is not a competent quarterback, and this kind of sequence isn’t remotely surprising for him.

How Jaguars QB Mac Jones helped Patriots during the bye week

The Patriots got some help from an old friend during the bye week

It wasn’t pretty by any stretch of the imagination, but Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Mac Jones stepped up and got the job done in Sunday’s divisional game against the Tennessee Titans.

The former New England Patriots first-round draft pick started under center for Trevor Lawrence, who went down with a season-ending injury the previous week.

Jacksonville came into the game initially pegged as having one of the top three picks in the 2025 NFL draft. However, they went on the road and knocked off the Titans in a 10-6 victory, moving them back down the board at No. 5 overall and the Patriots up the board at No. 3.

So if the season ended today, the Patriots would own a top-three draft pick for a second consecutive year.

Of course, that position could shift again if the Patriots come away with another win before the end of the season. They have four games left on the regular season schedule, but two of those games will come against a talented Buffalo Bills team. There are also matchups against the Los Angeles Chargers and Arizona Cardinals on the schedule.

A top-three pick would put the Patriots within range of drafting a top receiver or left tackle on the board. We did a poll last week where fans appear to be heavily in favor of the team drafting an offensive tackle over a receiver with their first pick.

Regardless of the Patriots’ decision, they are now in a position with better options available, thanks to Jones leading the struggling Jaguars to a victory.

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Everything Doug Pederson said after Jaguars’ 10-6 win over Titans

Disappointing as the Jacksonville Jaguars’ 2024 season has been, they returned to .500 in the AFC South on Sunday, beating the Tennessee Titans 10-6 for their second divisional win and third overall victory of the year.

Find everything Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson said in his post-game press conference below.

On what it means for the Jaguars to get a win in Nashville and close the game strong with a 10-0 run:

DOUG PEDERSON: “It feels great to get back in the win column. It’s been a while. Hats off to the players. They battled their tails off. Defense fought all day and kept us in the football game. Came up big with some PBUs and obviously there at the end. Offense, we got a slow start, but we gained momentum as the game went on. Proud of the guys for 10 points in the fourth quarter and for finishing the game that way. Hats off to those guys. They battled their tails off. You can see all of my excitement right here.”

On the reaction in the Jaguars’ locker room:

DOUG PEDERSON: “It’s excited, sort of a relief. It’s the excitement, it’s the joy of the work that you put in and you’re finally rewarded for a win. Again, just so happy for the players, the coaches, just hanging in there battling their tails off. Tennessee, that’s a good football team too. They do some really good things. I’m just excited and happy for our guys.”

On Jacksonville’s defense keeping the team in the game and CB Jarrian Jones posting two breakups and a sack:

DOUG PEDERSON: “I thought in Jarrian’s case, just played really well down the stretch here in this game and you talked about the couple of pass breakups and that sack was a thing of beauty, how he can bend and get around that edge and get [Titans QB] Will Levis on the ground. I thought he did a really good job, and he just continues to get better each week. He works extremely hard. So, a lot of good things about Jarrian.”

On how the Jaguars got WR Brian Thomas Jr. going in the third quarter:

DOUG PEDERSON: “We tried earlier in the game to do some things that way. Tennessee took a couple of those options away and we didn’t get into a rhythm. But it’s what we got to do, right? We got to get Brian involved. And he’s such a dynamic young, first-year receiver that is a great player. He’s going to be going to be a really good player in this league. And for he and [Jaguars QB] Mac [Jones] to make that play, it’s kind of broken-play scramble that really got us down there. And I think that is where we scored the touchdown on that drive. Just a great awareness by those two. But B.T. is just a solid player that continues to improve each week.”

On what Pederson saw from QB Mac Jones:

DOUG PEDERSON: “That’s one thing about Mac he just sticks to it. He grinds it out. He’s right there with all the guys. The way he led our team. And really, there was no panic, right? Nobody pointing the finger or anything. It’s we just had to tighten some things up and make a few subtle adjustments for him to lead us down there and get those 10 points, I thought. And then we had an opportunity before the half, in the two-minute drive before half, we’re in a position. We just really, we had a penalty, a sack there, knocked us out of field goal range. He did some good things today and things that we can continue to build on.”

On how impressive DE Travon Walker’s tackle on Jacksonville’s first goal-line stand:

DOUG PEDERSON: “That’s Travon Walker. I thought today guys like Travon, Jarrian, Mac, you guys were talking about B.T., [Jaguars RB] Tank [Bigsby], I mean all these guys, every one of them, it’s just the consistency and just continuing to do their job. And that’s what we’ve asked them to do and on that particular play, Travon just did an outstanding job just making a play. And obviously the fourth-and-goal late in the game, to come up empty there, hats off to the defense for just the execution.”

On how QB Mac Jones must feel getting his first win for his hometown team:

DOUG PEDERSON: “I think you have to ask him, but I know he’s going to be excited. I’m excited for him to really lead our football team. And now he knows, too, moving forward that he’s going to be out there, he’s going to be the guy. The second half of last week to this week, just some things that we can continue to build, and he can build upon but excited for him obviously getting that first win.”

On why Jaguars OL Anton Harrison was inactive today:

DOUG PEDERSON: “Illness. A little bit last night and then all day this morning when he woke up. I mean, sick, illness.”

On how Jacksonville OL Cole Van Lanen played in Harrison’s place:

DOUG PEDERSON: “I thought for someone who woke up thinking he was going to be a backup to starting, I thought he played really well today. We’ll take a look at the tape, obviously make some corrections. But I thought he played physical, he played good for being a backup to a starter within a matter of hours.”

On if Pederson wondered how the Jaguars would respond to losing so many starters:

DOUG PEDERSON: “You’re always wondering how they’re going to respond, but look, I’ve been around these guys all season and sure nobody knows the outcome of the game, right, until you play the game. But I know how these guys prepare during the week, and I know how they work during the week so that’s what gives you the hope that, ‘Hey, we’re going to go out and we’re going to get the job done, right? And we’re going to we’re going to play well to do it, whatever it takes.’ When you’re playing Tennessee, it’s never an easy game. I mean, it’s a game that’s always tough. It’s physical. It’s a battle. And I’m just so happy for the players and for the work that they’ve put into to finally get rewarded.”

Jaguars snap five-game losing streak, beat Titans 10-6

The Jacksonville Jaguars (3-10) snapped their five-game losing streak on Sunday, beating the Tennessee Titans (3-10), 10-6, to unlock their third win of the season and first since defeating the New England Patriots in London in Week 7.

Tennessee held a narrow lead from its first offensive series until over halfway through the fourth quarter, when Jacksonville running back Tank Bigsby shed two attempted tackles on an eight-yard rush into the end zone, the game’s only touchdown.

The Titans’ offense received two opportunities to match the Jaguars’ score and retake the lead. Tennessee turned the ball over on downs to conclude both possessions, including an 11-play, 61-yard drive that ended at Jacksonville’s nine-yard line.

The Jaguars and Titans combined for seven punts and five turnovers on Sunday, with Jacksonville quarterback Mac Jones tossing two interceptions and Tennessee’s offense failing to convert on fourth down three times in the latter category.

Real life football pic.twitter.com/aWS9pG8SKB

— Demetrius Harvey (@Demetrius82) December 8, 2024

Jones — who took over as Jacksonville’s starting quarterback after the team placed Trevor Lawrence (left shoulder/concussion) on the injured reserve on Wednesday — completed 23-of-31 passes for 220 yards with the two picks against the Titans.

Jacksonville’s defense largely suffocated Tennessee’s passing offense throughout the matchup. Defensive end Josh Hines-Allen and rookie cornerback Jarrian Jones each sacked Levis, and four Jaguars defenders combined for seven pass breakups, including Jones with two.

The Jaguars will host the New York Jets (3-9 and tied with the Miami Dolphins in the fourth quarter of their Week 14 matchup, 26-26, at press time) at EverBank Stadium, in Week 15, on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.

Jaguars vs. Titans: Key matchups

The Jacksonville Jaguars have faced the worst-case scenario of worst-case scenarios the way this season has gone, from playoff expectations in the preseason to likely possessing the No. 1 overall draft choice for the third time in five years.

The 2-10 Jaguars enter Week 14 with the worst record in the league. But they have a chance to put smiles on fans’ faces as they are set to take on the 3-9 Tennesee Titans in an AFC South matchup in Nashville.

Jaguars Wire takes a look at the key matchups that could determine the outcome of Jacksonville vs. Tennessee.

Titans QB Will Levis vs. Jaguars QB Mac Jones

This game will come down to which quarterback makes the fewest mistakes.

Jones and Levis are two quarterbacks who received plenty of hype and attention in their respective drafts but have failed to meet their expectations as signal-callers. Both have been underwhelming since entering the league and their futures with their current teams seem uncertain.

However, both players will square off in this AFC South rivalry game. Mac Jones has thrown for 484 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions in the last three games, two as the starter and in relief of Lawrence against Houston last week.

Levis has played much better since returning from a throwing shoulder injury in Week 10 than before he missed time.

Levis has thrown for 960 yards with seven touchdowns and just two interceptions in the last four weeks, compared to 699 yards with five touchdowns and seven interceptions in the first five games of the season. He is making fewer mistakes and operating fairly cleanly.

Jones must protect the ball better for the Jaguars’ offense to beat against the No. 1 passing defense in the NFL. It starts with better consistency and rhythm as a signal-caller to give his playmakers, including rookie sensation Brian Thomas Jr., a chance to win downfield, where Jacksonville succeeded in the passing game when Lawrence was available.

If Jones can play a mistake-free game, the Jaguars’ chances of a win increase significantly.

Titans DL Jeffery Simmons vs. Jaguars interior OL

An area of strength for Jacksonville has been its interior line play with guards Ezra Cleveland and Brandon Scherff along with center Mitch Morse. This week they will be taking on a game-wrecker in defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons, one of the best players in the NFL at his position.

That said, Simmons is experiencing a relatively down year. He has generated a 9.7 percent pressure rate this season, ranking No. 49 of 107 qualifying defensive linemen, per NFL Pro.

Still, Simmons has reminded teams just how explosive and quick he can be off the line of scrimmage with 11 quick pressures (tied for tenth-most in the NFL) and 15 run stuffs (No. 3), according to Next Gen Stats.

The Jaguars interior offensive line has allowed some of the lowest pressure rates at right guard (3.9%) and left guard (4.4%) and the fifth-fewest run stuffs in the league (44). The latter stat has allowed the Jaguars to remain in the top half in rushing yards per attempt, at 4.5.

Simmons, along with Titans rookie standout T’Vondre Sweat (27 run stops), will be a big challenge for the Jaguars offensive line.

Yet, if the combo of Scherff, Morse and Cleveland can win at the line of scrimmage Sunday, Jones should play with clean pockets while running backs Tank Bigsby and Travis Etienne Jr. get to tout the ball for decent chunk gains, potentially leading to win No. 3 for Jacksonville.

Who to take in Week 11 in your NFL survivor pool

Breaking down the best strategies of how to win your NFL survivor pool as the season continues into Week 11.

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In Week 10 of the NFL regular season, things mostly went according to plan. In fact, we had just 5 underdogs win outright, and 3 of those teams were ‘dogs by 2 or fewer points.

If you picked against the Carolina Panthers in Germany against the New York Giants, or against the New England Patriots at the Chicago Bears, you were shown the door. Not that odds matter in survivor pools, but the Panthers were 6.5-underdogs, while the Patriots were 6-point ‘dogs.

In Week 10 of the USA TODAY NFL Survivor Pool contest, 7 more people were bumped off, leaving us with 26 of the 10,357 still alive for the prize of $5,000. The Bears eliminated 5 players, while the Giants caused another player to be eliminated. One other picked the Atlanta Falcons on the road against the New Orleans Saints.

As far as our 2 picks were concerned, the Minnesota Vikings weren’t pretty in Week 10, but they got the job done 12-7 on the road against the Jacksonville Jaguars. It is always dicey taking a road team, but the Jags were starting backup QB Mac Jones for the injured QB Trevor Lawrence (shoulder). Jones was awful, as expected, but so was the Minnesota offense.

With our other option, we backed the LA Chargers, using a tried-and-true strategy of picking against the Tennessee Titans. That’s been an ace lately.

Perusing the Week 11 slate, we have 6 teams favored by 6 or more points on Sunday and Monday, with 1 double-digit favorite, the Detroit Lions taking on the aforementioned Jags.

Follow the USA TODAY NFL Survivor Pool.

– Games Sunday and ET unless noted

The pick: Detroit Lions

Who they play: Home vs. Jacksonville Jaguars – 1 p.m. (CBS)

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of NFL odds. Lines last updated Wednesday at 10:16 a.m. ET.

Line: Lions -13 / Moneyline (ML): Lions -800 | Jaguars +550

The Detroit Lions (8-1) host the Jacksonville Jaguars (2-8) on Sunday at Ford Field in the D, and the Lions are the largest favorite on the board, laying 13 points.

We’ve yet to back the Lions with our primary option this season, although we did burn them in Week 8 with our secondary option against the woeful Titans. The Lions were also a 13-point favorite against Tennessee in that game, and Detroit won comfortably by a 52-14 score in the most recent home game. In fact, the Lions have won 7 in a row since their lone loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers back in Week 2.

Conclusion: DETROIT IS MY TOP SURVIVOR PLAY IN WEEK 11.

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No. 2 option: Houston Texans

Who they play: At Dallas Cowboys – 8:15 p.m. (ESPN)

Line: Texans -7.5 / ML: Texans -400 | Cowboys +310

The Houston Texans (6-4) are big favorites against the struggling Dallas Cowboys (3-6) for Monday Night Football.

The Cowboys will be without QB Dak Prescott for the remainder of the season due to a partially-torn hamstring, so QB Cooper Rush is expected to start for a second straight outing. He was abysmal last week against the Eagles, and QB Trey Lance didn’t do much when he was called upon.

The Texans lost a tight one against the Lions in a prime-time game, so they’re on nationally for a second consecutive week. Houston is expected to welcome back WR Nico Collins, which is a shot in the arm for the Texans offense which has been without Collins and WR Stefon Diggs, who is out for the season.

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2024 survivor game log

NO. 1 OPTION

Week 1: LOSS – Patriots 16, Bengals 10
Week 2: LOSS – Falcons 22, Eagles 21
Week 3: LOSS – Panthers 36, Raiders 22
Week 4: WIN – 49ers 30, Patriots 13
Week 5: LOSS – Giants 29, Seahawks 20

Week 6: WIN – Eagles 20, Browns 16
Week 7: WIN – Commanders 40, Panthers 7
Week 8: LOSS – Browns 29, Ravens 24
Week 9: WIN – Chiefs 30, Buccaneers 24 (OT)
Week 10: WIN – Vikings 12, Jaguars 7

NO. 2 OPTION

Week 1: WIN – Saints 47, Panthers 10
Week 2: WIN – Chargers 26, Panthers 3
Week 3: LOSS – Giants 21, Browns 15
Week 4: WIN – Cowboys 20, Giants 15
Week 5: WIN – Commanders 34, Browns 13

Week 6: WIN – Falcons 38, Panthers 20
Week 7: WIN – Bills 34, Titans 10
Week 8: WIN – Lions 52, Titans 14
Week 9: WIN – Eagles 28, Jaguars 23
Week 10: WIN – Chargers 27, Titans 17

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Everything Doug Pederson said after Jaguars’ lethargic loss to Vikings

The Jaguars (2-8) had every opportunity to upset the Vikings (7-2) at home on Sunday, with Jacksonville’s defense intercepting Minnesota quarterback Sam Darnold three times.

However, Jacksonville’s lethargic offense failed to generate any points following those turnovers. After quarterback Mac Jones turned the ball over three times himself in the fourth quarter, the Jaguars ultimately fell to the Vikings, 12-7.

Find everything Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson said after Jacksonville’s third-consecutive defeat and eighth loss of the 2024 season below.

On Pederson’s assessment of the game:

DOUG PEDERSON: “Yeah, I thought defense did an outstanding job with the type of firepower they have on offense. I know there was yards, time of possession, but to hold that team to four field goals, it gives you a chance. Obviously we had the drive in the first quarter, touchdown drive and then after that, we couldn’t stay on the field. Credit Minnesota on what they did defensively, Coach Flores [defensive coordinator Brian Flores], they did their stuff. And we didn’t overcome a few things. Had a couple of setbacks on first down. Had too many seconds and longs. But this game is not about one person or one man. It’s a team sport, and we just didn’t do enough today.”

On what kind of feedback QB Mac Jones gave him about his two interceptions:

DOUG PEDERSON: “Honestly, we’ve got to watch the tape tomorrow, watch it with them, the players, get feedback, because I didn’t necessarily speak to them after. The two change of possessions like that, we were right back on defense, so I didn’t get a chance to talk to him at that time.”

On if Pederson received any feedback from Jones in the locker room postgame:

DOUG PEDERSON: “He’s hurting. He’s taking it hard. I just told him, it’s again it’s not about one guy. This is a team deal and offensively we didn’t do enough around Mac — and I’m not — listen, it takes 11 guys.”

On why it was difficult for Jacksonville to get its wide receivers involved against Minnesota:

DOUG PEDERSON: “Minnesota did a nice job. They showed, if you watch the game, they showed a lot of six up, seven up, which they do. Play a lot of Cover 2, spin out to Cover 2, a lot of cloud stuff. Then, of course, the pass rush. So it’s a challenge. It’s a challenge. And we obviously have to do a better job when we see that kind of stuff and execute. As coaches, we can prepare a little better there and help our guys out. But I credit what they did.”

On what Pederson’s level of disappointment is this season given the Jaguars are 2-8:

DOUG PEDERSON: “Never expected to be here. We had five or six games, they’re one-score games. It’s hard. As a team, as coaches, we’re making it hard, too hard. And the guys are frustrated, and they should be; and they’re angry, and they should be because we all are. But we have to channel it in a positive way and get ready for another one.”

On how to get WR Brian Thomas Jr. involved and if Minnesota played more cloud defense:

DOUG PEDERSON: “They did play it more. I mean, this is a Cover 2 defense. And they did a lot of that today. Then, again, their pass rush did a nice job. Got some pressure on Mac, made him scramble early, and then so it’s a combination of both. It’s what they did schematically to us and then just our execution offensively.”

On what was supposed to happen during the play in which Jones threw his second interception:

DOUG PEDERSON: “I’m not going to go through the details of the play because you guys wouldn’t figure it out. But we’ll look at the tape tomorrow and we’ll make those corrections.”

On if Pederson is shocked that the Jaguars moved the ball so well during the beginning of the game but not throughout the whole game:

DOUG PEDERSON: “I wasn’t shocked during the game. That’s what we’re expected to do. I think as the game progressed, it just got seemingly worse, right, first down, run the ball, we got behind the chains. Second and long. It just got harder offensively. That was the frustrating part, I think, just not staying positive on first down because you go back to that drive, that’s what we did. We were able to stay on the field and stay positive on first down.”

Recap: Jaguars, Vikings trade turnovers in 12-7 Minnesota victory

The Jaguars intercepted Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold more on Sunday, three times, than all of the quarterbacks they faced over the first nine weeks of the season combined (two).

Yet Jacksonville’s turnover production was not enough to overcome its own offensive struggles on Sunday, with Minnesota eking out a 12-7 victory at EverBank Stadium in Week 10.

Without starting quarterback Trevor Lawrence at the helm due to a left, non-throwing shoulder injury, the Jaguars mustered a mere 3.4 yards per play with Jacksonville native Mac Jones making his first start with the team at signal-caller.

Only two Jacksonville wide receivers caught passes on Sunday: Gabe Davis on a 19-yard reception that set the Jaguars up for their only score of the game — a one-yard quarterback sneak by Jones in the first quarter — and Brian Thomas Jr. for a two and 10-yard gains in the fourth quarter.

The Jaguars netted 70 yards on their scoring drive, and produced only 73 yards otherwise.

Jones finished the matchup 14-of-22 passing for 111 yards with the three turnovers.

Jacksonville linebacker Foyesade Oluokun, cornerback Montaric Brown and safety Darnell Savage Jr. each intercepted Minnesota quarterback Sam Darnold during the contest, with Brown and Savage making their plays either in the end zone or hovering the goal line, preventing potential scores by the Vikings.

Yet the Jaguars’ offense was entirely unable to capitalize on the opportunities their defense provided. Jacksonville ran 16 plays combined on drives that followed a Vikings turnover but generated no points and just 46 yards in those situations.

Jacksonville held a 7-3 lead from 3:48 remaining in the first quarter until 1:45 left in the third. But Minnesota kicker John Parker Romo, who signed with the Vikings on Tuesday, connected on consecutive field goal attempts from 33, 34 and 29 yards out between the third and fourth quarters to take control of the game.

All the while, Jones fumbled a snap and was intercepted twice over Jacksonville’s three final offensive series.

The Jaguars will travel to Detroit to face the Lions in Week 11, their final matchup with an NFC North team this season. Kickoff is scheduled for Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.