Justin Jefferson on setting Vikings receiving record in loss: 'This isn't an individual game'

The first 200-yard performance of his young career brought Jefferson to 1,500 yards for the season, nearing Randy Moss' single-season record.

December 12, 2022 at 1:23PM
Justin Jefferson broke Sammy White’s record for receiving yards in a game that had stood since 1976. (Jerry Holt, Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

DETROIT — Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson smiled when quarterback Kirk Cousins congratulated him on joining the 200-yard club in the postgame locker room. Jefferson's 11 catches for 223 yards against the Lions broke Sammy White's franchise regular-season record of 210 yards that had stood since 1976.

But Jefferson's smile faded when he was asked by reporters about weighing the record against a 34-23 loss to the Lions.

"This isn't an individual game," Jefferson said. "I'm an ultra competitor. I hate losing. I hate losing in board games, so imagine losing a football game."

Jefferson said he thought he should have had more yards. He disputed an out-of-bounds ruling on a 39-yard catch in the fourth quarter.

"I felt like I didn't step out, but they called what they called," Jefferson said. "Got to move on."

Jefferson has NFL-leading 1,500 receiving yards with four games left after collecting 1,616 yards last season. Randy Moss' single-season yardage record for the Vikings is 1,632.

Anthony Carter holds the franchise's postseason record for receiving yards in a game with 227 on 10 catches against the 49ers on Jan. 9, 1988.

Here are the Vikings' 200-yard receiving games in the regular season:

223: Justin Jefferson, Dec. 11, 2022 at Detroit, 11 catches

210: Sammy White, Nov. 7, 1976 vs. Detroit, 7 catches

204: Randy Moss, Nov. 14, 1999 at Chicago, 12 catches

202: Adam Thielen, Dec. 24, 2016 at Green Bay, 12 catches

202: Paul Flatley, Oct. 24, 1965 at San Francisco, 7 catches

201: Sidney Rice, Nov. 15, 2009 vs. Detroit, 7 catches

about the writer

Andrew Krammer

Reporter

Andrew Krammer covers the Vikings for the Star Tribune, entering his sixth NFL season. From the Metrodome to U.S. Bank Stadium, he's reported on everything from Case Keenum's Minneapolis Miracle, the offensive line's kangaroo court to Adrian Peterson's suspension.

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