Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold is focused on one statistic in particular as he and his teammates prepare to visit the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday afternoon.
No, it’s not passing yards or touchdowns. It’s not even victories or winning percentage.
What is Darnold thinking about heading into Sunday’s kickoff? Turnovers — as in, limiting them, especially after he threw two interceptions and lost a fumble last week.
“At the end of the day, I need to make smarter decisions,” Darnold said. “I just have to continue to use my eyes and my feet, and go through my progressions, and continue to trust that.”
Despite some bumps along the way, Darnold has led Minnesota (6-2) to a strong start to the season as it heads to Jacksonville (2-7). The Vikings are coming off a 21-13 home win against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday night, and they have outscored opponents by 59 points in 2024.
By comparison, Jacksonville is looking to rebound from back-to-back losses against the Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles in the past two weeks. The Jaguars have a minus-57 point differential and sit in last place in the AFC South entering Week 10.
An injury to Jaguars starting quarterback Trevor Lawrence adds more uncertainty to a team that is desperate for a midseason turnaround. Lawrence hurt his non-throwing shoulder and was limited in practice on Wednesday. Jacksonville signed veteran quarterback C.J. Beathard as insurance for Lawrence.
Beathard spent the offseason with Jacksonville and is familiar with the playbook. If Lawrence cannot go, Mac Jones likely would make the start and Beathard would serve as the backup.
“From our standpoint, we felt like we had a really good quarterback room with the three guys,” Jaguars coach Doug Pederson said. “C.J. got hurt there in camp and we had to let him go and all that, but we definitely wanted to at some point get him back here.
“I think it just strengthens our roster, strengthens that room. Trevor’s sore, obviously, and it gives us assurance.”
Lawrence said he hoped not to miss a beat. He absorbed a hit to his left shoulder on a scramble.
“I’m doing everything I can to be out there,” Lawrence said. “When I’ve gotten banged up in the past, just try to do everything I can during the week to prepare myself to play Sunday and put as much time as possible into that and getting healthy. That’s the way my mind is right now.”
The Vikings also are dealing with injuries, albeit at less heralded positions.
Minnesota signed kicker John Parker Romo this week to replace injured rookie Will Reichard. The 27-year-old Romo won a tryout this week at the Vikings’ training facility after Reichard went down with a strained right quadriceps.
Vikings long snapper Andrew DePaola also will miss the game after undergoing surgery on his right hand. Minnesota signed veteran Jake McQuaide to take DePaola’s place.
The Jaguars and Vikings have played seven times. Minnesota leads the all-time series 6-1, including a 27-24 overtime win in the teams’ most recent matchup on Dec. 6, 2020.
Jacksonville is 2-2 at home this season. Minnesota is 2-1 on the road.