John Parker Romo made four field goals in his NFL debut, and the Minnesota Vikings escaped with a 12-7 win over the host Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday afternoon.
Romo, a 27-year-old rookie who signed with the Vikings this week after rookie kicker Will Reichard went down with an injury, provided all of the scoring for Minnesota (7-2). The Vikings’ defense had three takeaways in the fourth quarter to seal the victory.
Mac Jones scored on a 1-yard run to mark the only scoring for Jacksonville (2-8). Jones completed 14 of 22 passes for 111 yards and two interceptions as a replacement starter for Trevor Lawrence, who missed the game because of a shoulder injury.
Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold completed 24 of 38 passes for 241 yards but threw three interceptions. Minnesota running back Aaron Jones finished with 101 total yards (88 rushing, 13 receiving).
Romo put the Vikings on top 9-7 with 7:14 remaining in the fourth quarter. His 34-yard field goal sneaked inside the right upright for the go-ahead score.
On the next possession, the Jaguars committed their first turnover on a botched snap. Jones could not handle the ball, and Vikings defensive lineman Harrison Phillips pounced on the fumble at the Jacksonville 25-yard line.
Five plays later, the Vikings settled for another field goal to take a 12-7 lead. Romo connected from 29 yards for his fourth field goal.
Jones followed with another turnover on the next drive. He underthrew a pass toward receiver Gabe Davis, and Byron Murphy Jr. stepped in front of it for an interception.
The play marked Murphy’s fourth interception of the season and his third in the past three games.
Jacksonville’s final drive ended in a third consecutive turnover. Camryn Bynum intercepted a deep pass at the Vikings’ 1-yard line with 1:52 remaining.
The Vikings opened the scoring midway through the first quarter. Romo made a 45-yard field goal to finish a 12-play, 53-yard drive.
Jacksonville took a 7-3 lead with 3:44 to go in the first quarter. Jones scored on a quarterback keeper from the 1-yard line for his second career rushing touchdown.
Romo cut the deficit to 7-6 with a 33-yard field goal with 1:42 left in the third quarter.
