The Minnesota Vikings had a remarkable regular season, but despite an opportunity to win the NFC North and secure the No. 1 overall seed in Week 18 against the Detroit Lions, they fell short.
As a result, the Vikings will head on the road as the No. 5 seed in the NFC for a Monday night playoff matchup with the Los Angeles Rams.
While Minnesota didn't capture the division crown, their journey from preseason projections to a playoff berth has been nothing short of impressive. A key factor in their success has been wide receiver Justin Jefferson, who has been a model of consistency since being drafted in 2020.
When quarterback Sam Darnold and Jefferson are in sync, the Vikings' offense is one of the most potent in the NFL. The duo will need to be at their best against a Rams team that has playoff experience and has proven to be a formidable opponent in big games.
Ahead of the pivotal matchup, the Vikings announced some exciting news regarding Jefferson's regular-season performance. He has officially been named to the NFLPA's Players All-Pro team—an incredible honor voted on by his peers across the league.
This season, Justin Jefferson has totaled 103 receptions, 1,533 receiving yards, 10 touchdowns, and an average of 14.9 yards per catch. He has surpassed 1,000 yards in every season since entering the league, and has topped 1,400 yards in four out of his five years.
Monday night will mark just his second career playoff game, as the Vikings lost to the New York Giants 31-24 in the NFC Wild Card Round on Jan. 15, 2023. Jefferson will now look to build on that experience and make a bigger impact in the postseason.
