Numbers Check: Justin Jefferson Makes History in Minnesota’s Win
The Vikings got some unfortunate news just minutes before this game. Eric Kendricks hurt his calf during pregame warmups and was forced to sit. A last minute loss as big as Kendricks is obviously a huge obstacle to overcome, but after a slow start, the defense held their own against Jacksonville in another comeback victory. Here are the numbers to help break it all down, including another historic output from Justin Jefferson.
6.5
Minnesota’s offense got off to an uncharacteristically slow start in this game. The Vikings punted on four of their five first half drives. During these four drives they amassed just 26 total yards of offense for an average of just 6.5 yards. The one drive that didn’t end in a punt was the result of an interception of Mike Glennon by rookie Cameron Dantzler. Following this play, the Vikings went for a 78 yards and a touchdown and kept Minnesota in the game.
Without that timely play from Dantzler, the comeback may not have been possible. The Jaguars were moving the ball down the field, making it as far as Minnesota’s 21-yard line before the turnover. A Jacksonville touchdown and PAT would have made it a 16-0 game around halfway through the second quarter.
Still, the fact that the Vikings defense held Jacksonville to just nine first half points is very impressive given how little the offense did. Fewer yards means fewer plays, and fewer plays means fewer minutes of rest for a defense without one of its best players.
5
Justin Jefferson made history on Sunday by becoming the first rookie in Vikings history to record five separate 100-yard receiving games. The record was previously held by Randy Moss at four games. The breakout star led the team in both receptions and yards on Sunday, reeling in nine balls for 121 yards and a touchdown.
However, none were as important as the 40-yard deep ball he caught during a crucial third quarter drive. This was coming off Kirk Cousins’ pick six and had Minnesota down 16-6. After Jefferson’s impressive catch (made through a declined DPI penalty), a C.J. Ham touchdown on the very next play brought Minnesota within three points. The play also seemed to rejuvenate the sleep-walking offense as they scored on their next drive as well. This time it was Jefferson who got the score.
Not only did Jefferson make Vikings history, but he made NFL history by becoming the fifth receiver to break 1000-yards in his first 12 games. Just imagine where he would be if he started in his first two games.
8
In my score prediction, I said it would be the Vikings putting pressure on the Jags offensive line. Turns out I was dead wrong. Once again, an opposing team that does not have a great rush got the better of Minnesota’s offensive line.
The Jaguars defense finished plays behind the line of scrimmage eight times, sacking Kirk Cousins four times and recording four other tackles for loss. Jacksonville’s rush made it much more difficult for Dalvin Cook to find running lanes, and it forced Cousins into a few bad throws, including a pick six.
While Minnesota again found a way to win, this is absolutely something to be wary of moving forward, especially with games against the Buccaneers and Saints in the near future.
