After a deflating shutout loss to the Seattle Seahawks in Week 13, Week 14 at home against the Washington Commanders looked like a get-right opportunity for the Minnesota Vikings. And get-right they did, with a 31-0 victory that had contributions from all three phases.
Facing a vulnerable Commanders' secondary, Sunday's game looked like a major bounce-back opportunity for wide receiver Justin Jefferson. But with coverage attention often tilting his way (as expected), he finished with just two catches for 11 yards on four targets.
After the game, head coach Kevin O'Connell admitted he attempted to dial up a touchdown for Jefferson in the second half to "put an exclamation point on the day", but it didn't work out due to the Washington pass rush doing just enough to disrupt J.J. McCarthy. Then, due to the game situation, Jefferson was not on the field late even if he badly wanted to be.
Perspective of Minnesota Vikings WR Justin Jefferson after another quiet game is to be appreciated
For many other wide receivers of his ilk, a season like the one Jefferson is having would lead to overt public displays of frustration on basically a weekly basis. The biggest thing he has done on that front is not talking to he media after the loss to Seattle, which he reasonably explained a few days later.
After Sunday's game, Jefferson talked about an "all-around team win" for the Vikings. He made no mention of his production (or lack thereof) to start his comments, and he probably wouldn't have unless prompted.
WCCO's Mike Max asked him if he can enjoy himself when he's not getting the ball a lot, and the response was absolutely expected.
"Of course, when you win. I'd rather win and not get the ball, then lose and not get the ball."
That answer showed the expected difference between the last two games for Jefferson. The loss in Seattle was as ugly as it gets, while the win over Washington was a good moment in a Vikings' season that has sorely lacked them thus far.
He knows his presence beyond his production can be impactful to winning, but when a lack of personal production gets paired with an ugly loss, it's (as expected) hard to deal with.
Dawn Mitchell of FOX 9 then asked Jefferson about the play O'Connell referred to and if he felt like the crowd was with him.
"I feel like the whole stadium saw me wide open on that play. It's definitely one of those that I wish would come to me.
...It happens sometimes. As long as we win, that's what I really care about."
As much as Jefferson is assessed based on his production, it's not the No. 1 thing on his mind. Winning is the thing that matters most, even if it hasn't happened this season as much as anyone in Purple would like. Other wide receivers of his stature could take a lesson from his approach.