JACKSONVILLE – The season has been weird. This was weirder.

The Jaguars on Sunday registered a season-high three takeaways. They held their opponent without a touchdown and in a sense played perhaps their best defensive game of the season, yet still allowed more than 400 yards and too many extended drives.

And they lost. Yet again.

The Jaguars on Sunday lost a third consecutive close game to an NFC contender, this one 12-7 to the Minnesota Vikings at EverBank Stadium. They're 2-8 now, with the playoffs all-but mathematically impossible and the 2024 regular-season long since impossibly frustrating and disappointing.

This was perhaps the worst offensive day of the season, with quarterback Mac Jones – making his first Jaguars start for injured Trevor Lawrence – committing turnovers on the game's final three possessions.

The Jaguars were in position to take the lead on all three drives. They never came close to doing so and lost for a sixth time this season in a game decided in the final two minutes. Oh well.

Let's get to it …

Brandon from Arkansas

Last week I was frustrated with Trevor Lawrence and said that I was off the Trevor Train and to bring on Mac Jones. I can admit I was wrong and this team is much worse off without Trevor!! Bring on T-Law!!

Lawrence missed Sunday with a shoulder injury, his first missed start of the season and the second of his career. Lawrence has struggled at times this season and Jones struggled mightily Sunday. Yes, Lawrence is the better option to start for this team. This is not a criticism of Jones. Lawrence is the starting quarterback for a reason.

Greg from St Johns, FL

Hey O- Just wanted to give Kudos to the D for giving us a legit chance. Not gonna bash Mac, the offensive or the coaches/playcalling, we are what we are. But, when is TL expected back?

The defense indeed played well enough to give the Jaguars a chance to win. Three interceptions and 12 points allowed qualifies as such. I expect the defensive coaches and players would tell you far too many extended drives were allowed, but that's nitpicking. There's no timetable for Lawrence's return, though I expect it could be after the team's Week 12 bye week.

Rick from Jacksonville

Nice helmets.

This references the Jaguars' white helmets Sunday, which marked the first time in franchise history the Jaguars have worn white helmets. They were cool. Many fans liked them.

Oscar from Palm Coast

Defense once again plays well and the offense does nothing.

I'm not sure it's accurate to portray that as a season-long trend, but it happened Sunday.

Michael from Orange Park, FL

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

This was the much-ballyhooed, sometimes-pertinent, usually-literate First Email of the Game. It came shortly after the Jaguars' first drive ended without a first down, so perhaps it refenced the Jaguars again failing to score a touchdown on the first drive of the game. That streak is now at an NFL-high 15 – and yes, that continues to be a very telling statistic during these tough times.

Travis from Ormond Beach, FL

Not a question, but I hope Sunday's game puts to rest any of those "Bench Trevor" demands.

They were silly "demands" that weren't going to be heeded anyway, but sure … one can hope.

Mike from Jacksonville

Third period and not one target to Brian Thomas Jr. I don't care what their coverage is, shouldn't they get the kid at least a ball or two?

Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. was targeted three times Sunday. Should he be targeted more? In theory, yes. Theory isn't always fact. The Vikings on Sunday kept targeting All-Pro wide receiver Justin Jefferson and the Jaguars intercepted three of those targets. That can happen, too. The Jaguars want Thomas to get the ball. Sometimes, the defense dictates the ball go another direction.

Chuck from Margate FL

So, I guess it's not all Trevor's fault and Mac Jones isn't the savior.

Right.

Leo from Duval

I respect it, KOF! Why did Doug not challenge that called incompletion for tight end Evan Engram? He clearly caught the ball and maintained control. It is OK if the ball shifts as long as there is control. Horrible non-challenge. Engram even told him to challenge it right after the catch. If I'm the coach and you see a player do that, especially in the current situation of the franchise, you don't hesitate.

The Jaguars have staff who communicate with Head Coach Doug Pederson about when and when not to challenge. Most coaches as a general rule don't listen much to players in this situation. Emotions of the moment often make them bad sources of information on challenges.

James from Socorro, NM

Zero points off three turnovers is how to lose an NFL game.

That's among the ways, yes.