Teams will weigh in on Justin Jefferson’s courage

Pink Floyd released Interfere 1971, two years earlier Dark side of the moon. It marked the band’s transition from an obscure psychedelic rock band to dominating the music scene for a decade. Die-hard fans know it The Piper at the Gates of Dawn (1967), A saucer full of secrets (1968) and Atom heart mother (1970). However, Dark side (1973), Wish you were here (1975), Animals (1977) and The wall (1979) immediately hit the cultural zeitgeist.

Interfere is, in a word, strange. Pink Floyd produced the album while on tour. With no material to work with and no direction for the album, they conducted a series of experiments that resulted in “Echoes,” which is 23 minutes long. How Dark side of the moonwhich is synchronized with The Wizard of Ozthey reached the last 23 minutes of 2001: An Oddesy in Space. Floyd also used unused material from “Echoes” to create “Brain Damage”. Dark sideis the penultimate song.

Like Pink Floyd in the early ’70s, Justin Jefferson may be on the verge of another breakthrough. However, he’s frustrated with how his opponents defend him, and the Minnesota Vikings are looking for a way to get him more involved. Kevin O’Connell and his staff will have to experiment with their style of play to balance Jefferson’s ambitions of becoming the league’s best receiver with Minnesota’s offensive flow.

A week ago, a reporter asked Jefferson how he would defend if he were an opposing team. “It’s either let everyone else go or let Justin go,” Jefferson posited. “I’ll let everyone else go. That would be my game plan.”

Last Sunday, Chicago Bears head coach Matt Eberflus responded in kind, chiming in on Jefferson’s bravery. Chicago’s defense focused on Jefferson and let Jordan Addison and TJ Hockenson beat them. The 4-8 Bears lost the battle, but may have started a psychological war.

Chicago limited Jefferson to two catches for 27 yards, but Addison managed 162 yards and Hockenson finished with 114 yards. With this, Eberflus illustrated the tension for Jefferson. He supports his teammates, but also wants to be the best receiver in the league.

“I mean, I always want to have an impact on the game,” Jefferson said Star Tribune after the game. “And I always want to create a spark for our team. Defenders, the way they mark and the way the game is going, that might not always happen. So it’s frustrating at times. But we got the victory and that’s all that matters.”

Winning a game in which Jefferson only has 27 yards might sound like a champagne problem. However, Jefferson has been open about his ambitions to become the best receiver in the league and knows that people use counting statistics to measure greatness.

“I feel like every receiver wants to be a leader in receiving yards, touchdowns and catches,” he said before the Bears game. “It’s not something we strive for and try to achieve every week. But being a top receiver in this league, I know I will be targeted the entire game. I know my chances will come.”

However, Chicago’s defense held Jefferson to five goals. Meanwhile, Sam Darnold targeted Addison and Hockenson nine times; Aaron Jones had three catches for 23 yards on four targets. Maybe teams will recognize the productivity of Addison and Hockenson and focus on them. However, they could test Jefferson’s willingness to sacrifice yardage to create opportunities for his teammates.

Before Sunday’s game against the Arizona Cardinals, a reporter asked Jefferson what he would do if teams continued to implement Chicago’s strategy throughout the year.

“That’s a great question,” he replied. “I’m not really sure.”

The reporter immediately reached out and asked if he had any other ideas on how to counter opposing defenses that covered him like the Bears did.

“No,” he said, “I won’t.”

Offensive coordinator Wes Phillips suggested that receivers should be given credit for the yardage they gain on pass interference penalties. In the second quarter, Jefferson drew a 35-yard pass interference penalty that moved the ball from second-and-eight at the Chicago 41-yard line to first-and-goal from the six-yard line. Jefferson also suffered pass interference on third-and-go in the third quarter.

“Even if it doesn’t show up on the stat sheet, the defensive PI on third down that gets us downfield (and another) gives us first-and-goal inside the five, those are great plays in the game.” Phillips said. “I wish we could give the guy yards for that.”

Jefferson echoed Phillips’ sentiments.

“I mean, we get those yards. We move the ball,” Jefferson said. “It’s definitely satisfaction with the ride. They simply don’t add to these statistics. So it doesn’t really count for much, but moving the ball forward and getting the drive going is always a great thing.”

It sounds selfish, but he’s honest. National experts agreed with one another and asked what was going on with Jefferson after the Bears game. The Vikings have benefited from his claim to be the best receiver in the league. However, he needs to generate receiving yards to be considered the NFL’s best wideout.

Minnesota’s opponents could choose to test Jefferson’s altruism, starting with Arizona on Sunday. But interfering with Jefferson’s courage feels like an invitation to him to cut her defenses into little pieces. Jefferson is 25 and hasn’t yet reached his prime. What we’ve seen may just be the beginning, especially if he can break through the sold-out defense to stop him.

O’Connell has previously paired Jeferson’s ambitions with Minnesota’s offensive production. He should be able to get them back in sync, but may have to experiment before he gets it right. If O’Connell helps Jefferson break through, he will be able to dominate the league like no other player before him this decade.