The Viking Age
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5 things to know about the Vikings and Lions in Week 17

By Dustin Baker

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - NOVEMBER 08: Adam Thielen #19 of the Minnesota Vikings runs a route during the second quarter of the game against the Detroit Lions at U.S. Bank Stadium on November 8, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - NOVEMBER 08: Adam Thielen #19 of the Minnesota Vikings runs a route during the second quarter of the game against the Detroit Lions at U.S. Bank Stadium on November 8, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images) /
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Minnesota Vikings
(Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images) Justin Jefferson – Minnesota Vikings /

5. Justin Jefferson has a slim chance to make history

This is why you turn on your television at 1:00 pm EST this Sunday.

Rookie phenom Justin Jefferson needs 207 receiving yards to set the NFL record for most receiving yards in a season by a rookie. The record lives in Houston on the mantel of a man named Bill Groman, who set the record in 1960. The Houston Oilers won an AFL Championship that season, and Groman set the rookie record (1,473 yards) in 14 games. In that regard, the record should be caveated eternally because Groman did his damage in two fewer games than most suitors of his accomplishment.

More realistically, Jefferson can set a Vikings record at Detroit. He needs 47 receiving yards to surpass Randy Moss‘ legendary rookie season from 1998. Moss accrued 1,313 yards during that ill-fated season. It the most be a 21-year-old player in NFL history. Ergo, Jefferson can nab two feats with just 47 yards — the Vikings rookie receiving-yards record and most-ever receiving yards by a 21-year-old.

Watch for it. The broadcasters will likely mention the accolades — hopefully all three.

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