MINNEAPOLIS — It was a scene the Minnesota Vikings could only dream of. Superstar receiver Justin Jefferson ran wild Sunday through the Green Bay Packers secondary, hauling in a slew of wide-open passes on the way to the best game of his career.
Jefferson made nine receptions for a career-best 184 yards and two touchdowns as the Vikings pounded their NFC North rival, 23-7, at U.S.
Bank Stadium. But it was the nature of Jefferson's catches that were so stunning. Jefferson averaged 4.0 yards of separation on his 11 targets, according to ESPN Stats & Information research, and gained 138 of his receiving yards on plays when he had at least 3.0 yards of separation.
And on a 64-yard haul that set up a field goal in the second quarter, there was not a defender within 10 yards of him. «I was thinking somebody was about to come from behind and tackle me,» Jefferson said. «I thought [Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander] had run with me.