In his postgame news conference following the Minnesota Vikings’ narrow victory over the Chicago Bears in Week 12, star wide receiver Justin Jefferson was asked about the team’s strategy. The captain had the ideal answer.
“It’s either let Justin go off or let everyone else go off,” Jefferson remarked, his smile glistening with diamonds. “I’ll let everyone else leave. That will be my strategy.
The Vikings not only defeated the Bears by following Jefferson’s game plan, but they also achieved an offensive feat not seen since 2000.
For the first time since their 2000 game against the Carolina Panthers, the Vikings finished with a 300-yard passer, a 100-yard rusher, and two 100-yard receivers in a single game in their victory over the Bears. Running back Robert Smith carried for 103 yards and a score on Nov. 19, 2000, while Vikings quarterback Daunte Culpepper went 22-of-29 for 357 yards and three touchdowns. Cris Carter (138) and Randy Moss (106), both of whom were receivers, both reached the century mark, contributing to a feat that would not be repeated for 24 years.
This time, Sam Darnold completed 22 of 34 throws for 330 yards and two touchdowns, Aaron Jones rushed for 106 yards and a touchdown, and both Jordan Addison (162) and T.J. Hockenson (114) broke the century mark as receivers. Even though a lot has changed since the Vikings last achieved this feat, it confirms one thing: when their entire roster is playing, the 2024 Vikings are a formidable team.
The NFC faces a threat from the Vikings’ offensive playmakers when they are healthy.
The Vikings haven’t had any offensive playmakers this season for whatever reason. In addition, their rookie quarterback, who was selected in the first round, has missed the entire season due to a torn meniscus in his right knee. But injuries are a big part of this game and happen to all teams. Despite the fact that they are the worst, they still exist.
Additionally, the Vikings’ offence is becoming healthier in terms of playmakers, even though they probably wish injuries would disappear. The Vikings undoubtedly missed having Hockenson on the field with their two best receivers, even though Addison hasn’t missed much time this season. The 27-year-old missed the opening eight weeks of the 2024 season after tearing his ACL late in the previous year. However, Hockenson had a gradual makeover before playing his best game since his knee injury recovery in Week 12 against the Bears.
In addition to receiving threats with Jefferson, Jones has been a valuable ground player who elevates this offence each week. Therefore, Jefferson would continue with today’s game plan while letting everyone else go off if he were the Vikings’ coach. Who knows which side of that coin will surface for the rest of the season, but it worked this week. Dakota Zientek is a devoted NFL fan who sticks behind the Chicago Bears no matter what. Since 2020, Dakota has been writing about the NFL after graduating from the University of Iowa.
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