The Minnesota Vikings are looking to take the next step in the 2023 NFL season and their path to doing so starts in Week 1 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Vikings offense will once again be quarterbacked by Kirk Cousins and he’s got the best weapon on the field in Justin Jefferson.
Jefferson is coming off a spectacular 2022 campaign and he is already off to a hot start as he’s been torching the Buccaneers defense for chunk yardage.
Tampa Bay’s done well to cover the rest of the receiver corps, but they’ve got no answer for Jefferson who has been able to create space and come down with some amazing grabs already.
The star wideout has been a one-man wrecking crew offensively but he also showed some defensive chops after a Cousins interception via Ian Rapoport of NFL Network and FOX.
#Vikings WR Justin Jefferson took the field without a contract extension, set to play out the year. So far… Seven catches for 138 yards — at halftime.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 10, 2023
Justin Jefferson has 7 catches for 138 yards… and a HUGE hit 😳
(via @Buccaneers)pic.twitter.com/o2yyTSp5II
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) September 10, 2023
The reception and yardage totals after one half of football is beyond ridiculous, though at this point it shouldn’t surprise anyone when it comes to Jefferson.
However, the hit he put on the defender is impressive as he made sure that they weren’t able to take that ball toward the opposite end zone.
Surprisingly enough, though, Minnesota and Tamba Bay are in a close one as neither side has been able to finish many drives with a touchdown.
Jordan Addison is off to a great start in his NFL debut as he caught the lone score for the Vikings, while Mike Evans responded on the other end with one of his own.
However, it feels like a matter of time until Jefferson adds one himself.
NEXT: Insider Reveals Week 1 Update On Justin Jefferson’s Contract Talks
