5 Bold Predictions: Minnesota Vikings vs. New York Jets – Week 13

Justin Jefferson will have 100 yards and a touchdown

One of the biggest matchups in Sunday’s game will be Justin Jefferson against Sauce Gardner.

Gardner has already shut down some of the top targets in the league, including Stefon Diggs, Ja’Marr Chase, and Tyreek Hill. He’s only given up two receptions of 20 yards or more, and his lone touchdown to Amari Cooper is in question because he appeared to hand off Cooper to another member of the secondary.

Vikings fans don’t need to be reminded about how good Jefferson is. His highlight-reel catch in Buffalo helped pull off a shocking upset against the Bills, and with nine catches, 139 yards, and a touchdown against the Patriots, Jefferson is on his way to the first 2,000-yard season in NFL history.

This matchup could be the football equivalent of Godzilla vs. Kong, but there’s a better chance that this matchup won’t happen at all.

The Jets have been consistent in keeping their cornerbacks in place, which means that Gardner has typically lined up away from where Jefferson will be playing. This could be especially true when Jefferson lines up in the slot where he has played 28.4 percent of his snaps this season.

With Gardner having just six coverage snaps in the slot all year, Jefferson could be moved all over the formation to avoid the big showdown. That may be disappointing for fans who want to see Jefferson “get the best of” Gardner, but if it results in another big game, they’ll gladly take it.