3 unsung heroes from the Vikings win over the Lions in Week 3

Justin Jefferson – WR

Justin Jefferson has not been accumulating the numbers that we have come to expect from the star wideout recently. With only 14 receiving yards against Detroit, it’s hard to see how he could be an unsung hero in the game.

If you watched the game, you may have been surprised to see Adam Thielen still plays for the Vikings. After two relatively quiet weeks for Thielen, he exploded this past Sunday for 61 yards and a touchdown.

But what does that have to do with Justin Jefferson?

Well, the defense of the Lions was very keyed in on Jefferson all game long, doubling and sometimes tripling the Vikings star wideout. With the attention on Jefferson, Thielen, as well as K.J. Osborn, were free to make plays.

Jefferson’s big play ability has defenses paying him a lot of attention, and potentially over-defending him, as Thielen and Osborn are now in a much better position to hurt opposing teams.

The biggest hole in heavily covering Jefferson was shown on the Vikings’ game-winning touchdown to Osborn, as the Lions doubled Jefferson, in turn giving Osborn a 1-on-1 that he easily won.

If Kirk Cousins and Kevin O’Connell can work to spread the ball around the offense more, the sky is the limit in Minnesota. Opposing defenses may choose to double and triple Jefferson, but as we saw on Sunday, Osborn and Thielen are going to make them pay.