Five Things Jacksonville Needs to Do to Beat Minnesota Sunday

On Sunday, 4-6 Jacksonville hosts 5-5 Minnesota in what equates to a must win game for both teams.

Here are five things the Jaguars need to do to improve to 5-6.

Contain Adrian Peterson: The Vikings have the NFL’s fourth ranked rush offense thanks in large part to Adrian Peterson’s 1,100 rushing yards and seven touchdowns. Peterson has rushed for 100 plus yards on six different occasions this season, Jacksonville must not let him get a seventh.

Get the ball to Jones-Drew: Jacksonville’s biggest play maker is one of the leagues smallest in the 5’7”, 208-pound running back Maurice Jones-Drew who has scored 11 touchdowns including five in the past two games. Jones-Drew is also second on the team in receptions with 31 on the year.

Protect Garrard and sack Frerotte: Jaguars quarterback David Garrard has been sacked 26 times this season behind a rough shot offensive line that is barely hanging together from week to week. Jacksonville has accumulated just 19 sacks on the year, a far cry of what was expected with the high selecting of rookies defensive ends Derrick Harvey and Quentin Groves in last Aprils draft.

Don’t underestimate Minnesota’s’ receiving core: Vikings speed burner Bernard Berrian has showed plenty of deep threat ability averaging 20.2 yards per catch this season, don’t let him beat you. Former Giants tight end Visanthe Shiancoe is underrated and if he had a better quarterback, his four touchdowns would be double that amount. Jacksonville’s secondary must play better then they did last week against the Titans.

Find a receiver: With questions surrounding Jaguars leading receiver Matt Jones about injuries and suspension some one has to step up. Former first round pick tight end Marcedes Lewis has big play potential, but has struggled with drops this season. Now is a good time to instill some confidence in the 6’6” Lewis with some red zone scoring opportunities.