Having boldly acknowledged earlier than the season his objective to be the perfect receiver within the league, the Minnesota Vikings’ Justin Jefferson already can stake a declare to this subjective but coveted standing.
Aaron Rodgers can solely want Jefferson was on his aspect.
Jefferson smashed the rival Inexperienced Bay Packers for 184 receiving yards and two touchdowns in a record-setting first half, giving new coach Kevin O’Connell a 23-7 victory in his first sport Sunday — and the Vikings their largest margin of victory over the Packers with Rodgers at quarterback.
“I dwell for these kind of huge video games,” Jefferson mentioned. “I used to be undoubtedly excited to get on the market. I’m glad I had this type of begin.”
After accumulating probably the most receiving yards (3,016) in a participant’s first two years within the NFL, Jefferson set an Vikings document with 158 yards within the first half. Kirk Cousins accomplished 23 of 32 passes for 277 yards and not using a turnover, concentrating on Jefferson on greater than a 3rd of his throws and holding the Packers on their heels for many of the afternoon.
O’Connell, who served as offensive coordinator of the Tremendous Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams final season, had Jefferson shifting all around the formation to maintain him away from star Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander.
“They put him in premier spots and attacked our coverages properly,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur mentioned. “Definitely we had a ton of blown coverages as properly the place we’re reducing him unfastened. If there’s anyone you don’t need to reduce unfastened, it’s No. 18.”
Rodgers’ first sport with out Davante Adams was full of frustration, and the three-time defending NFC North champion Packers fell flat of their opener for the second straight season. The Packers will want a wholesome offensive line for as soon as, too, after they performed many of the second half with three backups.
“There’s expectation for whoever’s in there that they’re going to play properly,” mentioned Rodgers, whose final loss by a couple of rating to the Vikings in a sport he began and completed was a 38-26 loss on Nov. 1, 2009, at house. “We had lots of probabilities in the present day. I’m not taking something away from their protection, however we harm ourselves many instances, myself included.”
Sporting a contemporary haircut after a summer time of non-public rejuvenation, Rodgers returned to an offensive forged that wants loads of work — the operating again duo of Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon apart. Rodgers went 22 of 34 for 195 yards, and LaFleur blamed himself for Jones getting solely 5 carries and three catches.
Second-round draft choose Christian Watson, who was taken after the Packers traded up with the Vikings for the No. 34 choice, juked previous 12-year veteran Patrick Peterson on the primary snap for the Packers and let what would’ve been a 75-yard landing move slip by his fingers.
Rodgers even had his NFL-record streak in opposition to division opponents of 38 landing passes with out an interception stopped close to the tip of the second quarter when his see-what-happens heave was picked off by Harrison Smith. The final one was snagged by the Detroit Lions’ Amani Oruwariye on Dec. 29, 2019.
On the assault
Jefferson rewarded O’Connell for his first vital in-game choice by catching a 4-yard landing move on fourth-and-1 to punctuate the primary possession. When Adam Thielen ran a slant, cornerback Eric Stokes and security Adrian Amos each turned inside — leaving Jefferson huge open within the flat after he got here in movement throughout the formation.
“I’ve by no means been a part of an offense that simply was attacking and attacking and attacking,” Thielen mentioned. “It didn’t matter the rating. It didn’t matter the scenario.”
Jefferson had a 36-yard reception for a rating within the ultimate minute of the primary half to present the Vikings a 17-0 lead. He got here near a 3rd landing on the earlier drive, too, however his diving catch on the fringe of the tip zone was a bit too far for him to drop each ft down.
That drive yielded the primary of two subject targets by Greg Joseph — who later made a career-long 56-yarder — and was arrange by a 64-yard achieve by Jefferson on a burst between Amos and fellow security Darnell Savage to seize the heave from Cousins. The “MVP” chants from the fired-up crowd in Minnesota got here quickly after for Jefferson.
“I might be just a little shocked, yep, at any time when he has a sport of that magnitude,” Cousins mentioned. “Not due to him, however we anticipate him to get taken away just a little bit.”
Packer payback
Za’Darius Smith, whom the Packers launched in a cost-cutting transfer, had one of many Vikings’ 4 sacks and stopped Dillon for no achieve on fourth-and-goal on the 1 within the second quarter.
“He got here on the market with hearth, and also you noticed what occurred,” teammate Danielle Hunter mentioned.
Damage report
Packers: LT David Bakhtiari and RT Elgton Jenkins had been inactive, and WR Allen Lazard additionally was held out. … LG Jon Runyan entered the concussion protocol within the third quarter and was changed by rookie Zach Tom. … Rookie LB Quay Walker (shoulder) and backup CB Keisean Nixon (shoulder) departed within the fourth quarter. Backup LB Krys Barnes (ankle) left on a cart.
Vikings: Rookie CB Andrew Sales space Jr. harm his quadriceps and was introduced within the second quarter as uncertain to return.
Up subsequent
Packers: Host the Chicago Bears on Sunday night time at Lambeau Area.
Vikings: On the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday, Sept. 19.
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