Given how things have gone this season, no one would blame Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson for being frustrated. What should stand as the low point came with Week 13's shutout loss to the Seattle Seahawks, after which Jefferson did not speak to reporters.
Jefferson has since explained his postgame silence, and that will surely be his only stark public display of frustration with how things are going this season. Other teams wish they had a talented wide receiver who's wired like he is, and the Vikings are grateful for the lack of drama.
That being said, Jefferson's production is severely lacking this season amid lackluster quarterback play. Week 13's two catches for eight yards have to be the low point there, too, as he has topped 50 yards just once in the last five games. He hasn't had a 100-yard game in the United States this season.
J.J. McCarthy will be back under center for the Vikings on Sunday against the Washington Commanders. If things are going to be simplified for him, like they probably should've been from the start this season, part of that should mean a concerted effort to get Jefferson involved.
All signs point to a get-right game for Minnesota Vikings WR Justin Jefferson in Week 14
The Commanders enter Week 14 with the league's 30th-ranked pass defense (254.9 yards allowed per game). They are also among the most generous teams to wide receivers this season, by basically any measure you can find (receiving yards, receptions, touchdowns, fantasy points).
On the fantasy front, Beckett Mesko of Pro Football Focus has Jefferson getting back in the good graces of his managers against the Commanders.
"The PFF Strength of Schedule Tool gives Jefferson the easiest wide receiver matchup of the week against a Commanders secondary that has been torched all season."
Among NFL.com's bold predictions for Week 14, fantasy analyst Michael Florio also thinks Jefferson is in line for a big bounce-back game.
"The Vikings' star receiver goes off for his best performance of the season in a squeaky-wheel game. With subpar QB play, Jefferson has had just two 100-yard receiving games and scored a touchdown in only two contests. For the first time this season, he records 100 receiving yards and scores a TD in the same game."
It feels like a statistical glitch that Jefferson has yet to have 100 yards and a touchdown in the same game this season. But he also only has two of each all season, with just one touchdown since Week 1.
If Jefferson doesn't have a notable outing against the Commanders on Sunday, practically regardless of how well McCarthy plays overall, the tenor of the conversation, as a season of general discontent winds down, might change in a way no one wants.