Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson has been sidelined since Week 6 due to a shoulder injury, but the Vikings have managed astonishingly well in his absence, winning five straight games.
Most recently, Minnesota pulled out a 27-19 victory over the New Orleans Saints on Sunday afternoon, and afterward, Jefferson expressed his excitement on X.
In the five games he has played this season, Jefferson has logged 36 receptions for 571 yards and three touchdowns.
Jefferson, who played his collegiate football at LSU, was selected by the Vikings with the 22nd overall pick of the 2020 NFL Draft.
He burst on to the scene during his rookie campaign, catching 88 passes for 1,400 yards and seven touchdowns. The following year, Jefferson was even better, hauling in 108 receptions for 1,616 yards and 10 scores. He proceeded to one-up himself yet again last season, leading the NFL in catches (128) and receiving yards (1,809) while reaching the end zone eight times.
The 24-year-old has made the Pro Bowl in each of his first three seasons and has also earned back-to-back First-Team All-Pro selections.
Minnesota has also been able to win without the services of Kirk Cousins the last couple of weeks after the quarterback tore his Achilles in Week 8.
The Vikings acquired Joshua Dobbs in a deadline trade with the Arizona Cardinals to rectify the issue. Dobbs has stepped in and done a phenomenal job, throwing three touchdowns and no interceptions while posting passer ratings of over 100 in his first two outings.
Minnesota got off to an 0-3 start this season and looked more like it was headed for a top draft pick than a playoff spot, but the club has responded by going 6-1 over its last seven games and has vaulted itself right into the thick of the NFC playoff race.
The Vikings will aim to continue their success when they head on the road to battle the Denver Broncos next Sunday.
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