As the Vikings prepared for last week’s game against the Chicago Bears, star wide receiver Justin Justin proved prophetic.
When asked how he would cover up, the 25-year-old flashed his infectious smile, then gave an answer full of confidence, not arrogance, about the respect he has garnered throughout the NFL.
“It’s either let everyone go or let Justin go,” he said. “I’ll let everyone go.”
Naturally, when the Vikings took the playing surface at Soldier Field last Sunday, the Bears completely sold out to keep Jefferson from leaving.
Not only did the Bears opt to let star cornerback Jaylon Johnson shadow a single opponent for the first time this season, but they also sent him help across the board, a strategy that ensured he was rarely in one cover.
While the box score suggests Jefferson was virtually nonexistent – he finished with 2 catches for 27 yards – that doesn’t even begin to tell the full story of his impact on the Vikings coming away with a 30 win -27 in overtime. .
His presence allowed everyone else to leave.
Quarterback Sam Darnold completed 22 of 34 passes for 330 yards and two touchdowns. Running back Aaron Jones rushed 22 times for 106 yards and a touchdown. Young receiver Jordan Addison records 8 receptions for 162 yards and a touchdown. And veteran tight end TJ Hockenson added 7 catches for 114 yards.
None of this would have been possible without Jefferson getting so much attention from the Bears. That’s what head coach Kevin O’Connell made clear immediately afterward.
“They matched him,” O’Connell said. “There were a lot of coverage schemes for him and a lot of opportunities for other guys to make plays.”
That’s how bad Justin Jefferson is in a nutshell. He regularly draws double and sometimes even triple covers. This makes life much easier for everyone involved.
“That’s pretty much what the formula has been this season,” Jefferson said. “There will be times when other people will eat as part of this offense.”
A few snapshots from last weekend effectively sum up the phenomenon.
There was a play near the goal line on which Jefferson drew a trio of defenders while running around a corner toward the back pylon. That left Jalen Nailor wide open in the flat for a touchdown.
“You turn on the tape,” O’Connell said. “Who is most excited about this?” Justin.
There was the play after halftime in which Jefferson got moving before the snap, threw a dagger up the middle and made two defenders hesitate. That left a big patch of grass open on the right side of the field, and Darnold dropped a dime to Addison for a big gain.
“It’s crazy the way they play it,” Addison said. “They leave everyone open.”
There was a play in overtime on which Jefferson ran a cross that drew a cornerback, a linebacker and a safety like three moths to a flame. That left Hockenson free near the sideline, and he completed a pass to set up a field goal that proved to be the difference.
“When he’s out there, he gets guys open,” Darnold said of Jefferson. “The defense is so locked in on him.”
There were also some subtle plays from Jefferson last week that might be overlooked because they didn’t show up on paper. He called two pass interference penalties totaling 45 yards. The ability to create an explosive play without even touching the ball should not be taken lightly.
“We’re getting those yards,” Jefferson said. “Just moving the ball and throwing a drive is always a good thing.”
Perhaps the most impressive part of Jefferson is that he hasn’t made headlines despite the lack of production. There is a maturity about him that doesn’t always exist in his position. He doesn’t have an ounce of diva in him.
“I like the way Justin carries himself,” O’Connell said. “He’s proud of his leadership.”
This did not go unnoticed.
“He’s excited about other guys scoring touchdowns and making plays,” offensive coordinator Wes Phillips said. “It’s authentic. He doesn’t do any of this for show. Ultimately, he wants to win and he wants to be part of a team that has a chance to compete for a championship.
Speaking of which, O’Connell seems to understand that for the Vikings to have sustained success, they need to find a way to get Jefferson the ball with more consistency.
“I feel a responsibility to always let him feel like he has an impact on the game,” O’Connell said. “The igniter that he is for our whole team is always a very important thing.”
When asked if he thinks there are different ways to get him the ball when he’s covered regularly, Jefferson was rather brief in his response. It’s the closest he’s come to frustration at any point this season.
“That’s a great question,” Jefferson said. “I’m not sure.”
It’s worth mentioning that Jefferson still managed to produce at a high rate. He’s had 61 catches for 939 yards this season despite how he’s defended game after game.
His baseline is so prolific that when he has a relatively quiet period by his standards, it can seem like a bigger deal than it actually is.
Still, fresh off his lowest performance this season, it’s a safe bet that Jefferson will get a healthy dose of targets when the Vikings host the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday afternoon at US Bank Stadium.
“I want to make sure he still feels like a major priority,” O’Connell said. “Because every time he steps on the field, I think he’s the best player on the field.”
