5 Bold Predictions: Minnesota Vikings vs. Green Bay Packers – Week 17
By Chris Schad
Justin Jefferson will get closer to 2,000 yards
Justin Jefferson’s bid to become the NFL’s first 2,000-yard receiver will be one of the Vikings’ biggest storylines over the final two games. Jefferson enters Sunday’s matchup with the Packers with 1,756 yards, which puts him at a pace to finish the regular season with 1,990 yards.
In order to reach the milestone, Jefferson will need to average 122 yards over his final two games, and there’s reason to believe he’ll get what he needs against the Packers.
Jefferson has struggled at Lambeau Field throughout his career, catching just nine passes for 84 yards in two games, but it hasn’t been because of the Packers’ defense. In 2020, the Vikings rode Dalvin Cook on a windy day for 226 yards and four touchdowns to a 28-22 victory. Last year, Jefferson had six catches for 58 yards, but he was catching passes from Sean Mannion, who made the start after Kirk Cousins tested positive for COVID-19.
If there’s a game that previews what could happen on Sunday, it’s the Week 1 matchup against the Packers. Matt LeFleur opted against having Jaire Alexander shadowing Jefferson, and the Vikings star was open for the entire game on the way to nine catches for 184 yards and two touchdowns in the 23-7 win over Green Bay.
Jefferson will likely see a combination of Alexander and Rasul Douglas in the rematch, but if Kevin O’Connell can find ways to scheme his star open, it should put him in line for another big game.