Minnesota Vikings’ Justin Jefferson breaks yard record in first two NFL seasons

MINNEAPOLIS – With the previous record holder looking from the opponent’s side, Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson made history on Sunday with his third catch, winning the most yards received by a player in his first two seasons, passing the mark Los Angeles Rams widen Odell Beckham Jr. set in 2015 with Giants in New York.

With 12:47 in the third inning, Jefferson caught a 9-yard pass from Kirk Cousin to switch play Tuesday and Friday and give him 23 yards of pay in the afternoon. The “second-year” recipient needed 21 yards on Sunday to surpass Beckham’s record of 2,755 yards received. Jefferson now has 2,851 yards received after finishing with 8 catches for 116 yards Vikings 30-23 loss.

“Blessed, glory to God, just in this situation, breaking my record with him [Beckham] in the building,” said Jefferson. That’s not another perfect situation for me. But a dub would definitely be better with that one, but go ahead. “

The record – and this game in particular – is the one that Jefferson said he predicted the whole season. The match where the receiver knows he’s going to draw with the Rams back corner Jalen Ramsey build levels of intrigue on a day when Jefferson has his eye on history.

“Need 21 yards, definitely keep tabs for that,” Jefferson said on Thursday.

“I’m so excited. I feel like I’m living for these moments, ever since I was a kid. Just up against that top guy, I’m a natural opponent. I was have been opponents since I was playing in the backyard with my family. I’ve been ready for the game, I’ve been watching it for a long time. For me, it’s a game that declares for me to consider myself. Be one of the top players in the league and solidify yourself. Definitely ready for it.”

According to NFL Next Gen Stats, Ramsey lined up in front of Jefferson 22 times on Sunday. Jefferson finished for 40 yards in four catches with Ramsey as closest defender, compared with 76 yards when anyone else was closest defender.

The latest milestone in Jefferson’s career comes on a day when early fights over offense proved costly in the loss that slashed Minnesota’s chances of a playoff kick to 16%, according to FPI. by ESPN. The Vikings are relegated to 2/12 in third place and 1/5 in the red zone, where they are far ahead with just 10 points from three outings.

Midfielder Kirk Cousin try to make eight passes in the red area and only one pass to Jefferson.

“I think we should be more aggressive when we get down there, as soon as we get down there,” Jefferson said. “But, I’m not one to call plays. I’m just here to do my job and do what was told to me. But, we can’t go down to the red zone more than once and leave with three points. .”

Jefferson also said he noticed a lack of energy from his teammates “as soon as I walked into the dressing room.” Pavers for the Vikings Anthony Barr said coach Mike Zimmer stepped into the group chat to energize his team because “it felt like there was a little bit of a dead thing inside.” [U.S. Bank Stadium] today.”

“I can only control what I can,” Jefferson said. “I’m definitely keeping up the energy, keep talking to my boys, trying to pick them up, but at the end of the day I can’t go out there and play for them, so we all have to come with , get energized for the next game and just go out there and play ball.”