5 bold Minnesota Vikings predictions for Week 14 vs. the Las Vegas Raiders
By Chris Schad
Justin Jefferson will open up Minnesota's passing game
You don't have to grind the tape to figure out that the Vikings offense was different without Justin Jefferson in the lineup. At the time of his injury, Jefferson ranked third in the NFL behind Tyreek Hill (651 yards) and Puka Nakua (572 yards) with 571 receiving yards and ranked fifth with 53 targets in the first five games.
Getting one of the most important players in football on the field should make life easier for Kevin O’Connell, but it should also mean great things for the complementary pieces in Minnesota's offense.
Jordan Addison broke out with 35 catches for 437 yards and four touchdowns during Jefferson’s absence, and T.J. Hockenson continued to be one of the league’s most reliable possession targets with 50 catches for 532 yards and three touchdowns in the last seven games.
Although Jefferson’s return will be different without Kirk Cousins, it could still lead to a big game on Sunday.
The Raiders’ secondary has been in flux with the release of Marcus Peters and the addition of Jack Jones from the New England Patriots. Even with the emergence of Amik Robertson, his 5-foot-9 frame should lead to plenty of mismatches downfield.
Josh Dobbs isn’t the pocket passer that Cousins is, but he should at least have opportunities to make plays. While Jefferson should be able to get his, it could open things up for everyone on the field, which could get the Vikings’ offense back on track.