Behind resurgent quarterback Sam Darnold, the Minnesota Vikings are firing on all cylinders, are undefeated, and coming off a road win over the Green Bay Packers that displayed for the world to see how explosive and balanced this offense can be.
Darnold out-dueled Packers quarterback Jordan Love while passing for 275 yards with three touchdowns to one interception in a thrilling 31-21 victory to remain atop the NFC North standings.
However, the driving force behind the Vikings’ win was the play of Darnold’s dynamic pair of wide receivers, Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison.
In Addison’s return from an ankle injury, the second-year standout caught three of his four targets for 72 yards and a touchdown while Jefferson pulled down six catches for 85 yards and a score.
Jake Reed Explains Why Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison Are Such a Potent Duo
Minnesota Vikings legend Jake Reed believes the combination of Jefferson and Addison present a unique set of challenges for opposing defenses across the NFL, and it isn’t surprising to see Darnold resurrecting his career.
“They complement each other with their play and both run great routes,” Reed told me Sunday night. “They both get in and out of their breaks really fast.
“What they can do after they get the ball in their hands is downright electrifying. They can take a five-yard catch and turn it into an 80-90 yard gain. And, you can’t double-team and bracket both at the same time, because you leave someone else open like their third receiver or the tight end. I feel like the Vikings have a really balanced offense this season.”
Through four games, the Vikings’ top two receivers have combined for 26 catches for 465 yards and five touchdowns but the upside of Minnesota’s offense is as lofty as it gets because of how difficult it is to contain them both. And, that’s before Darnold and the Vikings get top pass-catching tight end T.J. Hockenson back in the lineup.
