Offense looks sluggish, Vikings fall in preseason matchup to Jaguars

After putting up 42 points in their first preseason game of 2018, the Minnesota Vikings suffered a 14-10 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Saturday.

A week after an impressive preseason win over the Denver Broncos, the Minnesota Vikings let a victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars slip out of their hands on Saturday.

In a matchup of two of 2017’s top defenses, points were definitely not easy to come by for either team this week and the Vikings fell to the Jaguars by a final score of 14-10.

Minnesota quarterback Kirk Cousins definitely was not as impressive on Saturday as he was against the Broncos last week. Cousins completed just three of eight passes for 12 yards.

Why did he struggle on Saturday? It most likely had to do with this week’s opponent having a much tougher defense (especially against the pass) than the team the Vikings faced in their first preseason game.

Dalvin Cook watched from the sideline again this week, so Latavius Murray got the start at running back against Jacksonville.

Murray had some promising moments on Saturday, but he also fumbled twice. Something that the Minnesota running back needs to make sure doesn’t continue into the regular season.

The Vikings’ first-team defense had an up-and-down day against the Jaguars.

Minnesota forced Jacksonville’s offense off the field after just three plays on their first drive. Then Vikings safety Harrison Smith picked off a Blake Bortles pass during the Jaguars’ second offensive drive of the day.

However, Minnesota’s first-team defense then gave up a 12 play, 70 yard drive to Jacksonville’s offense that resulted in a Jaguars touchdown. Definitely a drive the Vikings will be analyzing on film this week to figure out what went wrong.

Minnesota’s kicking battle continued to take shape as it was Kai Forbath’s turn to to kick field goals on Saturday. Forbath made his first attempt from 44 yards, but then doinked the ball off the uprights on a 41-yard attempt.

Rookie Daniel Carlson took care of the Vikings’ kickoffs on Saturday and even converted on a extra point attempt. After two preseason games, the Minnesota kicking battle appears to be in Carlson’s favor.

Unfortunately, the Vikings lost a bunch of players to injuries on Saturday against the Jaguars.

Minnesota cornerback Mackensie Alexander left the game with an ankle injury, rookie defensive end Ade Aruna was carted off the field with a knee injury, center Josh Andrews had to be helped off the field with a leg injury, and tackle Cedrick Lang and fullback Johnny Stanton were both carted back to the locker room with air casts on their legs.

Minnesota’s third preseason game of 2018 has the team hosting the Seattle Seahawks next Friday, August 24 at 7 p.m. CT inside U.S. Bank Stadium.