Justin Jefferson has huge game as Minnesota Vikings get big road win vs. Los Angeles Chargers
INGLEWOOD, Calif. —The irritation in coach Mike Zimmer’s voice was noticeable.
The Minnesota Vikings coach had just watched his team beat the Los Angeles Chargers, 27-20, snap a two-game losing streak and avoid yet another close loss.
Then, during Zimmer’s postgame news conference, a reporter mentioned that Vikings offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak earlier this week said Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson deserved more targets.
“Yeah, he shouldn’t be telling that to the media,’’ Zimmer said.
Jefferson, who set the NFL rookie record last year with 1,400 receiving yards, had only nine targets and five catches during the past two games, both Vikings losses.
On Sunday, he caught nine passes (on 11 targets) for 143 yards and made a clutch grab on the final possession of the game at SoFi Stadium.
Kubiak had delivered on his promise.
“Some great play-calling,’’ Jefferson said with a grin.
32 THINGS WE LEARNED: Several star QBs return to action in Week 10
NFL NEWSLETTER: Sign up now to get football news delivered to your inbox
The Vikings defense, missing five key players, deserved ample praise for holding the Chargers offense in check. But this was about the team’s playmakers.
It was about Vikings running back Dalvin Cook rushing for 94 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries.
About Adam Thielen catching five passes for 65 yards and a key reception in the fourth quarter.
And, most dramatically, about the Vikings making full use of Jefferson – a process that started behind the scenes.
Jefferson acknowledged he’d been “a little frustrated’’ by how few times he’d been thrown the pass the past two games.
Zimmer said he knew.
“I did talk to Justin this week and I told him we were going to get him the ball,’’ the Vikings head coach said. “I said, ‘You got to do something for me. And that’s come out and practice real hard, and do the things you’re supposed to do, and study and be precise in your routes and I’m going to get you the ball.'’’
Zimmer said he talked with Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins about the plan, which began before game day.
“We made kind of a big adjustment during practice this week, just giving the playmakers the ball,’’ Jefferson said.
On Sunday, it was time enact the plan against the Chargers.
By halftime, Jefferson had five catches for 73 yards and the Vikings led 13-10, even though Cousins looked conservative.
“I’m pretty methodical,’’ he said after the game.
In the second half, however, Cousins looked different. Certainly on third-and-6 at the Vikings' 29-yard-line and less than four minutes to play. That’s when he found Jefferson in man-on-man coverage and fired a pass that Jefferson pulled down for an 27-yard catch.
Then, on third-and-20 with 2:39 left, Cousins fired an 18-yard pass to Thielen across the middle. That set up one last critical play.
On fourth-and-2, Cook rushed for four yards, enabling the Vikings to run out the clock.
After the game, Jefferson was beaming – and, unlike Zimmer, there was no trace of irritation in his voice. After all, the game plan was tailor-made for him.
Or as Jefferson put it, "Some great play-calling, getting us the ball in open space and letting us work."
If the Vikings intend to make a push for the playoffs, Zimmer clearly knows there better be more of the same during the rest of the season. Part of that will hinge on Cousins, the Vikings’ two-time Pro Bowl quarterback .
“I do think sometimes he needs to be aggressive with the football. I thought he was today. Especially in the second half," Zimmer said. "He has to trust everybody. And if he has to hum a couple of them in there and they get tipped or something, so be it.’’
Jefferson demonstrated why it’s time for the Vikings and Cousins to be more aggressive.
“He’s such a great football player that it’s just important that we target him,’’ Cousins said, “get the ball in his hands and let him make plays.’’