Justin Jefferson is keenly aware he hasn’t hit the 100-yard plateau in four consecutive games, a string he’s tired of repeating.
“I’m definitely sick of having these 80-, 90-yard games. I definitely have to get over that hump of 100 yards. That’s definitely my plan,” the Vikings wide receiver said on Tuesday, via The Associated Press.
For most receivers, 80- and 90-yard games would be great. For Jefferson, he’s below his self-set standard.
The only other four-game streak below the 100-yard mark in his entire five-year career came sandwiched around last year’s injury, which knocked him out seven games. In one of those four tilts, the All-Pro WR played just 13 snaps. So, it’s fair to say this is Jefferson's longest legitimate streak of 100-yard futility in his career.
The big-play wideout feels like he’s been just a smidge off with Sam Darnold, and a deluge could be coming, possibly Thursday night against the Los Angeles Rams.
“If you see it on tape, the explosive plays are all over the field, not just me. They’re all over the field, and we’ve just got to be dialed in, all 11, to execute those plays and to give Sam a little bit more time,” Jefferson said. “So it’s going to be one of these games that we’re going to show the world what we’re really capable of, and hopefully it’s Thursday night.”
In Week 7, Jefferson (6,430) passed Jerry Rice (6,364) for the third-most receiving yards by a player in his first five seasons in NFL history; he's 313 yards behind No. 2, Randy Moss. The Vikes wideout needs nine grabs to pass Cooper Kupp (433) for the third-most catches by a player in his first five seasons in NFL history.