Vikings’ Justin Jefferson got ‘back into Jets mode’ with 85-yard performance against Giants

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Smiles kept creeping onto Justin Jefferson’s face as he spoke postgame in the visitors’ locker room at MetLife Stadium.

His Oakley sunglasses sat perched atop his head. He didn’t need them for any form of protection after one of his best performances this season in the Vikings’ narrow 16-13 win over the New York Giants on Dec. 21, the shortest day of the year.

Jefferson, the Vikings’ star wide receiver who has been stifled through much of the back half of the season, showed he’s far from being snuffed out, catching six passes on eight targets for 85 yards.

“Definitely felt great,” Jefferson said with a smile and a little chuckle. “It definitely felt I was back into ‘Jets’ mode again. ... I’m just happy that I was a big role in this win today.”

It was Jefferson’s best performance stateside in a season the sixth-year pro and team captain acknowledges has brought frustration.

Jefferson said “Jets mode” turned on after a 13-yard third-down conversion on the Vikings’ opening drive. He had a 14-yard conversion their next possession, creating an early rhythm for him to fall into. It was one the Vikings needed, as no other receiving target caught more than two passes.

Jefferson is still chasing the 1,000-yard mark — one he has never come shy of, even when limited by injury — with two games left in the season. He has 83 yards to go.

Entering Week 16, McCarthy and Jefferson had connected for only an average of 43.9 yards per game through McCarthy’s eight starts. Jefferson’s 81 yards against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 2 were an outlier thanks to a 50-yard connection.

Fifty-seven of Jefferson’s yards against the Giants came on passes thrown by McCarthy in the first half, the most the two have connected for since a 61-yard game against the Chicago Bears in Week 11.

But Jefferson’s biggest play Dec. 21 was on a ball thrown by second-string rookie Max Brosmer early in the fourth quarter on third-and-17.

Brosmer’s ball found Jefferson, arms outstretched, 21 yards downfield cutting out toward the Vikings sideline. Jefferson dragged his toes, revealing the gold underside of his cleats, and maintained possession to seal the catch and move the chains.

Jefferson’s celebration of the play was subdued, a subtle flexing of his arms as he clenched his fists briefly and ran back to the huddle.

Brosmer said it was a “great call” and one the Vikings offense had “in the bag” for a few weeks. They saw the right coverage to use it against the Giants.

The play kept alive a drive that purged 6:51 from the clock and ended with a 30-yard, game-winning field goal by kicker Will Reichard.

“Perfect ball. Perfect spot,” Jefferson said. “We don’t really work that play, that throw, too often in practice. Of course, J.J. is the one throwing it in practice. For him to throw that type of ball in that type of situation on third down to continue the drive, very, very big.”

Jefferson’s season has not been as flashy as his bling, but his impact beyond the stat sheet has been repeatedly called out this season.

Blocking on big plays. Uplifting teammates with both visible and verbal displays, like clapping to hype up the huddle at MetLife Stadium. Supporting McCarthy through his bumps, even when they have come at the cost of Jefferson’s own personal gains.

And even in what will be viewed statistically as a down year, Jefferson is still making history, breaking the record for most catches by a receiver through his first six seasons, for which O’Connell also shouted him out.

When asked what was clicking to allow his performance, though, Jefferson went immediately to his teammates.

The run game, he said, powered by an injured Aaron Jones Sr., made it so the Vikings “weren’t predictable.” The offensive line set protections well.