The Minnesota Vikings rookie receiver had a breakout game on Sunday.
Unfortunately, the Minnesota Vikings added another loss to their 2020 record on Sunday after failing to hold onto a fourth-quarter lead against the Tennessee Titans. The Vikings are now sitting with an 0-3 record for the first time since 2013.
Despite the disappointing result this week, Minnesota has at least one thing to be excited about following their game with the Titans. Vikings rookie receiver Justin Jefferson had himself a day against Tennessee and it looks like he’s going to be a big factor for Minnesota’s offense this year.
Jefferson finished with an impressive seven catches for 175 yards and one touchdown during the Vikings loss to the Titans. Prior to Sunday, Minnesota’s rookie receiver had only accumulated a total of five catches for 70 yards so far this season.
Minnesota Vikings rookie looks like the real deal
Due to his low production in the Vikings’ first two games of the year, there was some doubt that was beginning to creep in about the team using a first-round draft pick on Jefferson last spring.
But after his performance on Sunday, those doubts should no longer exist. Especially after the 71-yard touchdown he had in the third quarter.
On this play, Jefferson was able to haul in a pass from Minnesota quarterback Kirk Cousins around the Tennessee 40-yard line. The rookie receiver then made two Titans defenders look silly and danced his way into the end zone to add six points for the Vikings.
On Sunday, Jefferson displayed a variety of different skills that should help Minnesota throughout the remainder of the season. The rookie proved he can go up and make the contested catches, he showed that he can gain even more yards after hauling in his targets, and he displayed some breakaway speed on his touchdown catch.
If the Vikings continue to feed Jefferson the ball (which they should) and the rookie keeps on performing like he did on Sunday, stopping Minnesota’s offense is going to be a tough task for their rest of the opponents on their 2020 schedule.