Justin Jefferson’s numbers are down, and Kevin O’Connell says the answer starts with Minnesota’s offensive shift.
The Vikings are 6-0, but their attack has not looked anything like a powerhouse. Jefferson, one of the league’s most dangerous receivers, has not been getting the kind of volume fans are used to seeing. He’s averaging only 6.2 targets per game, a number that has only added to the frustration around a team that has been winning without much offensive fireworks.
O’Connell told ESPN’s Kevin Seifert that there are “several reasons” behind Jefferson’s quiet stretch, and said the biggest one is the way the Vikings are approaching games now.
“I think in the past we're throwing the ball a thousand times,” said the one-time Coach of the Year.
That answer did not sit well with plenty of fans, especially with Jefferson still playing at an elite level. Social media lit up with complaints about the play-calling and the lack of touches for the receiver.
“Someone tell Kevin it doesn't have to be one or the other, please,” said @SomethingEra2.
“Any game plan that doesn't target Jefferson 10+ times per game is broken,” added @Jeff_sixKings.
“We begged him to stop calling four verticals on third-and-1s and instead just run the ball. Not for him to run the ball 90% of the game with no creativity. He's on the way out,” claimed @LexiHartwell30.
“I think the reason actually starts with ‘I don’t care to feature my all-world wide receiver. I'm too busy calling plays for the bottom-five offense in the league.
Brian Flores will carry, so I'm not too worried.' If Jetta's got the targets JSN (Jaxson Smith-Njigba) gets, I guarantee the offense scores more touchdowns,” wrote @Cathanasselis.
“You have Justin Jefferson in his prime. THROW THE F****** BALL,” suggested @jweyhrauch1.
The numbers around Minnesota’s offense help explain why the conversation has turned so sharp. The Vikings rank No. 4 in designed run rate at 43.3% and No. 31 in dropbacks with 198, according to Seifert. They’ve scored only 10 touchdowns, which is second-fewest in the league and just ahead of the Los Angeles Chargers’ nine.
Jefferson’s production still reflects a star receiver doing star things when the ball comes his way. He has 23 catches for 302 yards and three touchdowns.
Minnesota heads to Detroit to face the Lions on Sunday.
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