MINNEAPOLIS — It was a scene the Minnesota Vikings might solely dream of. Celebrity receiver Justin Jefferson ran wild Sunday by way of the Green Bay Packers secondary, hauling in a slew of wide-open passes on the best way to the very best recreation of his profession.
Jefferson had 9 receptions for a career-best 184 yards and two touchdowns because the Vikings pounded their NFC North rival, 23-7, at US Financial institution Stadium. Nevertheless it was the character of Jefferson’s catches that had been so gorgeous.
Jefferson averaged 4.0 yards of separation on his 11 targets, in keeping with ESPN Stats & Data analysis, and gained 138 of his receiving yards on performs when he had a minimum of 3.0 yards of separation. And on a 64-yard haul that arrange a subject aim within the second quarter, there was not a defender inside 10 yards of him.
“I used to be pondering anyone was about to return from behind and deal with me,” Jefferson stated. “I believed [Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander] had run with me. However he wasn’t there. It form of shook me up a bit bit, however I am glad I acquired into the tip zone.”
The Vikings had been enjoying their first recreation in new coach Kevin O’Connell’s scheme, and Jefferson stated he anticipated to see the same old double groups and cloud coverages he has grown accustomed to throughout his first two seasons within the league. He was shocked, nevertheless, to see the Packers didn’t constantly ask Alexander to comply with him in protection.
Alexander was shocked, as nicely. Requested in regards to the potential matchup, Alexander first made the zipping-the-lips movement after which stated: “All week, [he was] asking for that matchup. Nevertheless it ain’t about me. It is in regards to the crew. It ain’t about me. If it was my approach, you recognize what I’d be doing.”
O’Connell’s scheme was partly accountable. Jefferson lined up everywhere in the subject, making it troublesome to trace him. Jefferson took 41 snaps on the skin, 12 within the slot, two within the backfield and one as a decent finish. Practically half of his yardage complete (91) got here on these performs from the slot with the opposite 93 from the skin, making him solely the second participant prior to now seven seasons to build up a minimum of 90 yards from each the slot and the skin.
Jefferson additionally went into pre-snap movement on seven snaps and was focused on 4 of these performs, together with a 5-yard landing reception within the first quarter.
“I undoubtedly just like the motioning,” Jefferson stated, “and simply seeing the entire subject. I am fairly positive I will do it much more.”
ESPN’s Rob Demovsky contributed to this report.