JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Three quick notes from the Jacksonville Jaguars 25-16 loss to the Minnesota Vikings:
Finishing the job:
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The Jaguars have now tied a franchise record with eight straight losses. In their last six games (all losses) they either held the lead in the fourth quarter or were within one score. They were once again in that exact same scenario against the Vikings. After a touchdown pass from Blake Bortles to Bryan Walters, the Jaguars took a 16-12 lead into the fourth quarter.
PHOTOS: Vikings vs. Jaguars
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After a solid defensive performance for most of the game, Jacksonville allowed Minnesota to reach the end zone twice in the final stanza.
Good but not good enough:
The Jaguars defense entered Sunday having given up two pass plays of 40-plus yards all season. On the Vikings' first drive, the Jaguars surrendered a 44-yard completion from Sam Bradford to Kyle Rudolph. On Minnesota’s next possession, Price Amukamara was beaten down the sideline by Adam Thielen for a gain of 41 yards. Both of those drives resulted in a field goal by the Vikings.
In the second quarter, Bradford found a streaking Stefon Diggs for a gain of 45 yards. However, the drive yielded no points as the Jaguars stuffed the Vikings on fourth and goal from the 1-yard line.
The Jaguars defense came up with another big play in the red zone during the fourth quarter. Vikings running back Matt Asiata reached the ball toward the goal line, but the ball was knocked free and recovered in the end zone by the Jaguars.
Creating that turnover wasn’t enough. The Jaguars offense went three-and-out on their next possession. Minnesota’s offense responded with a nine-play, 54-yard drive that ended in a touchdown and put the game out of reach.
Consistency in the kicking game:
The first half of this game was a field goal fest. Neither offense could find the end zone and kickers Jason Myers and Kai Forbath matched each other with three field goals apiece. After a very uneven first season in Jacksonville, Myers has been more consistent in 2016. He entered Sunday a perfect 13-for-13 on kicks under 50 yards. That streak would’ve continued against the Vikings but his 41-yard attempt in the third quarter was tipped and missed wide right.