History could have answer to outcome of Vikings vs. Jaguars on Sunday

No one is shocked that the 6-2 Minnesota Vikings are favored entering their Week 10 matchup on the road against a 2-7 Jacksonville Jaguars team that is expected to be without starting quarterback Trevor Lawrence.

As of Thursday, the FanDuel Sportsbook has the Vikings favored to defeat the Jaguars on Sunday by at least seven points. That point spread is notable since Minnesota has been successful under head coach Kevin O'Connell when oddsmakers have them favored in a road matchup.

Dating back to O'Connell's first season with the team in 2022, the Vikings have been favored by 3.5 points or more in a road game three times. In these three instances, Minnesota has emerged with a victory every time, and they've won each contest by an average of 9.3 points.

Will the success of the Minnesota Vikings as road favorites under Kevin O'Connell continue in Week 10 vs. the Jacksonville Jaguars?

With Lawrence likely out for Jacksonville on Sunday, there's a reason why oddsmakers have the Vikings favored by so much. But even beyond the Jaguars possibly not having their starting quarterback this weekend, Minnesota has just been the better team than their opponent in a lot of different areas this season.

The Vikings' group of offensive playmakers that includes Justin Jefferson, Aaron Jones, Jordan Addison, and T.J. Hockenson gets to go up against a Jacksonville defense that ranks 31st in the NFL in net yards per pass attempt allowed and 30th in points allowed per drive.

On the other side of the ball, Minnesota's defense currently ranks third in the league in points allowed per drive, and they'll be taking on a Jaguars offense that ranks in the bottom half of the NFL in points scored per offensive drive (19th), rushing yards (22nd), and passing yards (17th).

It really shouldn't be difficult for the Vikings to leave Jacksonville's home stadium with a win this weekend. But Minnesota fans who have been rooting for this team for a while know better than to assume that a victory is already in the bag before the ball has even been kicked off.

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