Vikings vast receiver Justin Jefferson is heating up on the proper time.
Minnesota’s All-Professional wideout scored his eighth landing of the season and third in his final two video games within the first quarter of a divisional Monday night time showdown in opposition to the Bears.
Quarterback Sam Darnold threw his NFL-high fifteenth landing on play motion ( h/t Pro Football Focus) on the play, which started with Jefferson to the left of the formation and ended with him open within the again proper of the tip zone.
The rating gave the Vikings (11-2) a 10-0 lead of their effort to maintain tempo with the Lions (12-2) for first within the NFC North.
Minnesota has received six straight. Its final loss was on Oct. 24 to the Rams.
Jefferson snapped a six-game touchdown-less streak final Sunday with two in opposition to the Falcons. With scores in back-to-back weeks, Jefferson is peaking on the good time.
Throughout his celebration on Monday night time, Jefferson shouted out ESPN NFL analyst and former Vikings receiver Randy Moss, who just lately shared a most cancers prognosis.
The landing got here after Minnesota’s protection pressured a fumble. Per Pro Football Reference, the Vikings entered Monday forcing a turnover on 17.2 % of opponent drives, the league’s second-highest fee.
Regardless of having the league’s fourth-best document, the Vikings (11-2) do not get the respect they deserve as a Tremendous Bowl contender.
Per ESPN’s Football Power Index, Minnesota ranks seventh in odds to win the Tremendous Bowl, trailing the Ravens (9-5) and Packers (10-4).
In an on-field interview with ESPN’s Lisa Salters earlier than the beginning of the second quarter, Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell mentioned Jefferson’s landing and stated, “We really feel actually good about Justin’s matchup in opposition to anyone.”
Armed with an elite protection and vast receiver, O’Connell ought to just like the Vikings in opposition to anyone, too.
