5 most disappointing Vikings in the Week 1 loss to the Bengals

Justin Jefferson – WR

Justin Jefferson didn’t have a horrible game by any stretch of the imagination but he just didn’t look like the Justin Jefferson we saw in 2020. He finished the game with five receptions for 71 yards and had a touchdown that was somehow not overturned upon further review. He even threw a pass for 11 yards to his buddy KJ Osborn.

While those were his highlights, Jefferson did struggle. He dropped a couple of passes that he definitely should’ve caught. He also struggled to create separation from the Bengals’ corners forcing Cousins to throw the ball into some tight windows.

Jefferson missed a few practices in training camp with a shoulder injury and was held out of all the preseason games so he could heal and not risk further injury. He definitely looked like he had some rust on him and that was evident in his lack of chemistry and cohesion with Kirk Cousins. He also didn’t play with the same swagger we are accustomed to seeing from the second year receiving phenom.

There’s little doubt Jefferson will soon regain his 2020 form, but in the first game of the 2021 season, his performance left plenty to be desired.