JUSTIN JEFFERSON

Jalen Hurts, Justin Jefferson and Patrick Mahomes are finalists for The Associated Press 2022 NFL Most Valuable Player and Offensive Player of the Year awards.

The end hit harder for the Minnesota Vikings than usual, a season of exhilarating finishes and exceeded expectations smudged by this quick exit from the playoffs. The salary cap crunch will likely force the departure of some of the players who contributed heavily to 13 wins, an NFC North division title and a strong chemistry that fueled this run behind new head coach Kevin O'Connell. “We have such a great group, and you know when the season ends that this group doesn’t stay the same moving forward,” quarterback Kirk Cousins said after the 31-24 loss to the New York Giants at home on Sunday in the first round.

Travis Kelce and Justin Jefferson were unanimous choices for the 2022 NFL All-Pro Team.

2022 NFL All-Pro Team Roster.

Travis Kelce and Justin Jefferson are unanimous choices for The Associated Press 2022 NFL All-Pro Team, and Sauce Gardner is the first rookie cornerback selected in 41 years.

Our experts made Giants vs. Vikings predictions with odds provided by Caesars Sportsbook, so let’s dive into their analysis. NEW YORK GIANTS VS. MINNESOTA VIKINGS PREDICTION: Vikings -3 (+100 at Caesars Sportsbook)Click here to sign up for a Caesars account, and you’ll receive first-bet insurance worth up to $1,250 for any of our experts’ Giants vs. Vikings predictions. Giants vs. Vikings predictions for Super Wild Card Weekend 2023The New York Giants and Minnesota Vikings will face off this Sunday in Minnesota, and these teams met just a few weeks ago. Giants vs. Vikings picks for Sunday, 1/15The Vikings were missing two key offensive linemen in C Garrett Bradbury and RT Blake Brandle when these teams met earlier this season. Giants vs. Vikings odds for NFL Wildcard Weekend available at Caesars SportsbookThe Giants are +3 underdogs with -120 odds this Sunday, while their money line price is +140 at Caesars Sportsbook.

Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander showed how to contain Vikings All-Pro wide receiver Justin Jefferson. Carmen Vitali explains how he did it.

Malik Nabers threw for a touchdown, caught one and had 163 yards receiving in No. 16 LSU’s 63-7 rout of Purdue in the Citrus Bowl.

Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers destroyed the Minnesota Vikings at Lambeau Field on Sunday, as they kept their playoff hopes alive. All they need is a Week 18 win.

Aaron Rodgers threw a touchdown pass and ran for a score, and the Green Bay Packers continued their improbable playoff push by shutting down Justin Jefferson and the Minnesota Vikings in a 41-17 blowout.

DETROIT – Hitting the Griddy following his overtime goal on Wednesday earned Detroit Red Wings defenseman Jake Walman a tip of the hat from Minnesota Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson. Hopefully, we can step up and do well, build some chemistry.”Walman has a team-leading plus-12 rating in just 18 games. “When he did it the first time, I had him on my fantasy football team, so I was pumped up. “My biggest thing coming into the season was to really establish myself and be a big part. I think doing that is helping the team win.”He also will get a look on the power play.

Greg Joseph kicked a career-long 61-yard field goal as time expired to give the Minnesota Vikings a 27-24 victory that prevented the New York Giants from clinching a playoff spot.

Third-year Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson broke Minnesota's single-season receiving yards record on Saturday against the New York Giants.

Even with a 33-0 lead on the Vikings, everything was still wrong with the Colts offense. Plus, insight on the Jags, Titans and Texans.

Week 15 of the NFL brings a Saturday slate with the Colts trying to upset the Vikings before some big AFC divisional showdowns. Here are the top trending and viral moments!

The Minnesota Vikings completed the biggest comeback in NFL history by erasing a 33-point deficit to beat the Indianapolis Colts 39-36 in overtime.

There are six teams in action on Saturday as the NFL has its first slate of games on the first half of the weekend with the holidays around the corner.

The 10-3 Vikings go as their dynamic duo goes, with Kirk Cousins and Justin Jefferson combining for impressive statistical outputs.

The Detroit Lions keep rolling as their offense exploded in the 34-23 victory against the NFC North-leading Minnesota Vikings, keeping their playoff hopes alive.

They can drop eight and make you play coverage, try to double Justin (Jefferson), or play a lot of off-safeties. “They played a really solid football game. He’s playing outstanding and he’s a direct link as to why we are playing better. He’s playing really good football and he’s taking care of the football. He stepped in there and I’ll tell you what, he’s cool, he’s calm, he’s collected, he’s making these throws.

Jared Goff threw for 330 yards and three touchdowns, leading the surging Detroit Lions to a 34-23 win over the NFC North-leading Minnesota Vikings.

DETROIT -- The Detroit Lions welcome Justin Jefferson and the Minnesota Vikings for Week 14 action from Ford Field. Detroit’s postseason hopes hang in the balance from here on out, while the Vikings can clinch the NFC North with a win. This post will update with drive summaries, analysis, injury updates, photos, pregame updates and more. Hit refresh to keep up and follow MLive’s Detroit Lions reporters on Twitter -- @BenjaminSRaven and @kmeinke. Plus James Houston talks debutLions aim to replicate tough task of containing Vikings WR Justin JeffersonDetroit Lions vs. Minnesota Vikings: Fantasy guide and key matchups for Week 14Lions point to Jared Goff-Ben Johnson’s bond for high-level offensive playThe Lions are scoring more without T.J. Hockenson than they did with himDVOA overall ranking: Lions 13th | Vikings 20thDVOA offensive ranking: Lions 9th | Vikings 18thDVOA defensive ranking: Lions 19th | Vikings 18thNet yards gained per passing attempt: Lions 6.8 (7th) | Vikings 5.7 (24th)Rushing yards per attempt: Lions 4.5 (15th) | Vikings 4.3 (20th)Points per game: Lions 26.3 (6th) | Vikings 24.1 (11th)Points allowed per game: Lions 27 (32nd) | Vikings 23.3 (t23rd)Net yards allowed per passing attempt: Lions 6.9 (28th) | Vikings 7.1 (31st)Rushing yards allowed per attempt: Lions 5.2 (31st) | Vikings 4.4 (17th)Takeaways: Lions 15 (t8th) | Vikings 20 (t4th)

Players could win $100,000 by playing the FOX Bet Super 6 NFL Sunday Challenge and picking the winners of six marquee games and their margins of victory.

ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions have listed two starting cornerbacks as questionable for their game on Sunday against Justin Jefferson, the second-leading receiver in the NFL, and the Minnesota Vikings. Jeff Okudah was listed as questionable because of an illness that knocked him out of practice on Wednesday and Thursday, although he did return to practice on Friday and is trending toward playing. Receiver Kalif Raymond (illness) and backup quarterback Nate Sudfeld (illness) are also questionable, while guard Evan Brown (ankle) is doubtful. Linebacker Derrick Barnes (knee), guard Kayode Awosika (ankle) and cornerback Chase Lucas (hamstring) have already been ruled out. The good news is pass rusher Romeo Okwara is expected to make his season debut against Minnesota.

Just in my own opinion, I think he’s, if not the best receiver, he’s one of the top two. I think he’s tough. I think he’s competitive. So if you’re not locked in, like every play on this player, he’s going to beat you. “I mean, he’s competitive, he’s tough, he can run every route, the tree’s long.

Terry Bradshaw is giving away $100K in the FOX Bet Super 6 NFL Sunday Challenge for Week 14. Find out how the big cash prize can be yours!

The Minnesota Vikings held on for the victory against the New York Jets and Mike White on Sunday, 27-22. The Jets' rally fell short at the end of the game.

FOX Bet Super 6 NFL Sunday Challenge gives players the opportunity to win $100,000 by picking the winners and margins of victory of six marquee games.

Amon-Ra St. Brown is quietly turning in a spectacular season for the Lions, while the Vikings continue to impress on and off the field.

The Vikings have the NFL's 14th-best point differential and its second-best winning percentage. They're happy with another win and a 9-2 record regardless.

"Prime Time Kirk Cousins" usually is an eyesore - but not this Thanksgiving evening. Cousins and his dynamic receiving duo carried the Vikings to a win over the Patriots.

Kirk Cousins threw for 299 yards and three touchdowns, the last a go-ahead score to Adam Thielen in the fourth quarter to push the Minnesota Vikings past the New England Patriots 33-26.

The Lions are playing their best football of the season, while the Vikings look to get back on track. Carmen Vitali looks at NFC North storylines.

Is Justin Jefferson already the NFL's best receiver? How should you feel about Jeff Saturday's coaching opportunity? Peter Schrager gets into notes from around the NFL.

Justin Jefferson may have made the greatest catch in NFL history. Here's how the Minnesota Vikings set the play up and ended up beating the Bills.

The NFL is loaded with great wide receivers. FOX Sports' NFL writers ranked the top 10 and wrote about their choices. Where do Tyreek Hill and Justin Jefferson fall?

Ron Rivera and Washington are making a habit of shocking undefeated teams.

The Vikings are for real, led by Justin Jefferson, who is putting together an award-worthy season. Plus, are the Packers back?

The Vikings are for real, led by Justin Jefferson, who is putting together an award-worthy season. Plus, are the Packers back?

Justin Jefferson's one-handed catch against the Bills on Sunday was spectacular. But was it better than OBJ's?

We got you covered from all the NFL wacky wins to bad beats. Here's a rundown on how bettors fared during this week's slate of games.

Minnesota pulled out yet another one-score victory. Here's what the game of the year means for both the Vikings and the Bills.

The Minnesota Vikings' wild comeback win is an instant game of the year contender, and everyone from LeBron James to Odell Beckham Jr. weighed in.

The Minnesota Vikings defeated the Buffalo Bills, 33-30, in overtime on Sunday in what is definitely the game of the year so far in the 2022 season.

Week 10 of the NFL season brought an electric atmosphere overseas and an invasion of pigeons in Pittsburgh. Check out the top viral moments!

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins told reporters that the 2020 trade with the Buffalo Bills for receiver Stefon Diggs worked out for both sides.

Buffalo Bills star Stefon Diggs talked about the trade from the Minnesota Vikings to the AFC East team and revealed one team that was a potential landing spot.

Greg Joseph kicked a 47-yard field goal with 24 seconds left and the Minnesota Vikings hung on for a 28-25 win over New Orleans at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium when the Saints’ Wil Lutz’s 61-yard tying attempt hit the left upright and then the crossbar as time expired.

ALLEN PARK -- Detroit Lions cornerback Jeff Okudah has earned a ton of praise for his lockdown coverage through the team’s first three games. Okudah allowed seven catches for only 63 yards through the first two games, per PFF. He was docked for surrendering five total catches for 43 yards in coverage during last week’s loss. “So, from that regard he’s really -- he’s really come a long way. It’s going to be a nice battle.”The Tacoma News Tribune reports Metcalf wasn’t impressed with Okudah’s recent play, saying: “He’s got a safety behind him.

The Detroit Lions have talked about finding new ways to use interior defender Alim McNeill, especially after adding beef to the rotation in Isaiah Buggs and Benito Jones. McNeill saw an increase in snaps during Detroit’s 28-24 loss to the Minnesota Vikings in Week 3. Aidan Hutchinson’s snaps dipped while dealing with his thigh/quad injury, with the prized rookie still seeing 79% of the defensive work. Jones played 13 snaps while Buggs handled much of the work inside with McNeill moving around. The Lions averaged 4 yards per carry and didn’t allow a sack, while Jared Goff ate only two hits.

Justin Jefferson is one of the best wide receivers in the game, not to mention a focal point of the Minnesota Vikings’ attack. So, when the Detroit Lions focused on stifling the third-year star receiver, the Vikings had to turn elsewhere. Lions cornerback Jeff Okudah had a strong game in dealing with Jefferson most of the way. Jefferson was held to three catches and 14 yards in Minnesota’s 28-24 win against the Detroit Lions in Week 3. “They were doing some things schematically to take away Justin,” Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell said.

We’ll try and answer three burning questions ahead of kickoff below:Related: Lions looking to snap 10-game road losing streak as divisional play kicks offRelated: Lions’ D’Andre Swift dealing with lingering ankle pain: ‘But he’ll fight through it’Can Lions WR Amon-Ra St. Brown keep it rolling? “I think it’s really hard to eliminate a slot receiver from a game plan,” Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson said. D’Andre Swift left his mark on last week’s game despite playing 15 fewer snaps and 11 touches than the previous week. He played 12 snaps out of the slot in Week 1, then drew 28 reps inside last week, so the new-look Vikings are moving him around all over the field. In only four games against the Lions, Jefferson has 30 catches for 503 yards and one touchdown.

Jalen Hurts threw for 333 yards and a touchdown and he ran for 57 yards and two more scores to lead the Philadelphia Eagles to a 24-7 win over the Minnesota Vikings.

Darius Slay and the Philadelphia Eagles' defense dominated the Minnesota Vikings while Jalen Hurts took care of the offense in the 24-7 victory.

The Minnesota Vikings and Philadelphia Eagles will square off on Monday Night Football in Week 2 of the 2022 NFL campaign. Vikings vs. Eagles prediction featuring an against the spread pick on MinnesotaMinnesota pummeled NFC North rival Green Bay 23-7 in Week 1, so this team is already riding high on confidence. The total is set at 50.5, which is a number the Vikings and Eagles should be able to exceed. There is a doubleheader on Monday Night Football this week, as two games are being played instead of the standard one. Monday Night Football schedule and spread odds provided by BetMGM SportsbookThe first Monday Night Football game between Tennessee and Buffalo kicks off at 7:15 pm ET on ESPN.

Patrick Mahomes loses sleep preparing for Thursday night games.

Justin Jefferson picked up right where he left off on Sunday with a dominating performance against the Green Bay Packers and had a message for the rest of the league.

Evan McPherson kicked a 20-yard field goal as time ran out, and the Cincinnati Bengals earned their first AFC North title and postseason appearance in six years with a wild 34-31 win over the Kansas City Chiefs.

ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions (0-10-1) and Minnesota Vikings (5-6) meet in Week 13 action, with both likely to be without their top running back. These two NFC North foes met back in Week 5, with the Vikings winning a wild one 19-17 at the buzzer. Alexander Mattison handled a bell cow’s load that day, running 25 times for 113 yards. Justin Jefferson was the other fantasy standout, catching seven passes for 124 yards. See below for a rundown of who to start, who to sit and sleepers to watch in this matchup:

ALLEN PARK -- After their brief Thanksgiving break, the Detroit Lions (0-10-1) are back at home, hosting the Minnesota Vikings (5-6) in Week 13 action. He’s expected to miss the team’s next two games, pushing running back Alexander Mattison into the starting lineup. Mattison started back in Week 5 against these Lions, running 25 times for 113 yards. Series history: The Vikings lead the all-time series 79-39-2, winning eight straight games dating back to 2017. 2021 (this season) -- Vikings 19, Lions 172021 (last season) -- Vikings 37, Lions 352020 -- Vikings 34, Lions 202019 -- Vikings 20, Lions 72019 -- Vikings 42, Lions 302018 -- Vikings 27, Lions 9

Minnesota beat Green Bay by making sure Aaron Rodgers didn't get to touch the ball last.

ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions (0-4) and Minnesota Vikings (1-3) will meet in Week 5 for the rights to the NFC North’s cellar. Even with that said, start Swift with confidence. Lions players to sitRB Jamaal Williams -- Jamaal Williams has been really good this season when allowed to pound the rock. It’s just tough to count on Williams week in and week out from a fantasy perspective. Vikings players to start/sitSTART: WR Justin Jefferson, WR Adam Thielen, QB Kirk Cousins, RB Dalvin Cook, Vikings D/STMinnesota’s defense making this side of the list should be the lone surprise.

The Eagles QB flashed big fantasy upside in his short stint as starter late last season. Now expected to start from Week 1, can he put together a breakout season? Which other players could become new fantasy stars?

Editor’s note: With the seventh overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft, the Detroit Lions select ... a receiver? That honor goes to Ja’Marr Chase, which goes a long way toward explaining why Chase is considered by so many to be the top receiver in a top-heavy receiver class. Why he doesn’t make senseOf course if Chase does go WR1, the Lions might never have a chance at him anyway. What he saysOn outshining Justin Jefferson at LSU: “I enjoyed Justin playing this year, he had a great season (in Minnesota). Goff will need some help if he’s to sort himself out, and there is no better help at the receiver position in this draft than Ja’Marr Chase.

ALLEN PARK -- The great tight end debate is already raging in Detroit, where the Lions have already spent two top-10 picks on tight ends since 2014 and three first-round picks on tight ends since 2009. No other team in the league has come close to making that kind of investment in the tight end position. And his pro day proved that, when he ran a preposterous 4.44-second 40-yard dash. “I think he’s an elite wide receiver and I think he’s an elite tight end,” Florida coach Dan Mullen said after the Gators’ pro day on Wednesday. At his pro day, he showed why when he blistered the 40 in 4.44 seconds.

DETROIT -- The Detroit Lions set new franchise records for the most yards and points allowed in a single season during their 37-35 loss to the Minnesota Vikings in Week 17. Related: Detroit Lions set franchise records for most points, yards allowed in a season. Justin Jefferson set some records of his own on this defense. Jefferson broke Randy Moss’ franchise record for having the most receiving yards in a rookie season. @Lions K @MattPrater_5 connects on his 59th-career field goal of 50+ yards, passing K Sebastian Janikowski (58) for the most in #NFL history.#OnePride pic.twitter.com/WQIkFqFpq7 — Detroit Lions PR (@LionsPR) January 3, 2021

(AP Photo/Butch Dill)MINNEAPOLIS – Running back Dalvin Cook is not practicing with the Minnesota Vikings this week, due to the death of his father. Cook has a younger brother, James Cook, who is a running back for Georgia. He was picked for a second straight Pro Bowl, with 1,557 rushing yards, 361 receiving yards and 17 total touchdowns in 14 games. Cook’s absence will clinch a second consecutive rushing title for Tennessee’s Derrick Henry, who has a 220-yard lead on Cook. Cook has a slim lead on Henry atop the NFL with 1,918 total yards.

They do have a sack in an NFL-record 71 straight games and have sacked Philip Rivers 15 times during seven games while he played for the Chargers. Rivers has had two or more TD passes in five straight games. He had career bests of 10 catches for 163 yards last week, and Ridley's seven 100-yard games lead the NFL. The 19 straight seasons without losing both games to a divisional opponent is an NFL record. The Jaguars have allowed at least 24 points in each of those 13 games, an NFL record.

Minnesota Vikings place kicker Dan Bailey (5) celebrates with teammates after kicking a 23-yard field goal during overtime in an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Minneapolis. The Cowboys, Panthers and Jaguars (1-11), who lost their 11th straight game, are a combined 8-27. Chase McLaughlin even had a chance to win it with a 62-yard field goal at the end of the fourth quarter that fell short. FOUR FIGURESJefferson joined Pro Football Hall of Fame member Randy Moss (1998) as the only rookies in Vikings history to reach 1,000 receiving yards. Vikings: CB Jeff Gladney (calf) and TE Brandon Dillon (ankle) each left the game.

Earlier in the game, Bucs cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting was ruled out with a groin/hamstring injury. Brady threw two touchdown passes to Mike Evans along with another to Chris Godwin. Golladay missed the first two games of the season with a hamstring injury and Detroit has missed his production. The injury woes for Dallas continued when starting center Joe Looney walked to the locker room also with an ankle injury. Out of 48 NFL games so far in 2020, 10 have included paying customers.

For typical Saturday football games, that means Wednesday would be the soonest athletes would be tested. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, File)Plans for the 2020 college football season if it is played should start coming into focus this week. That still needs to be worked out and other models are still being considered, including one with eight conference games and one nonconference. GROUP OF FIVEIt is not entirely fair to lump the American Athletic Conference, Mountain West, Mid-American Conference, Conference USA and Sun Belt together, but the fact is all are at the mercy of the Power Five in some way. ___Follow Ralph D. Russo at https://twitter.com/ralphDrussoAP and listen at http://www.westwoodonepodcasts.com/pods/ap-top-25-college-football-podcast/___More AP college football: https://apnews.com/Collegefootball and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25

FILE - In this Jan. 13, 2020, file photo, LSU wide receiver Justin Jefferson (2) is tackled by Clemson during the first half of an NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game in New Orleans. The NCAA's latest guidance for playing college sports during the COVID-19 pandemic recommends testing players once a week within 72 hours of competition. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, File)The NCAA football oversight committee is asking the associations Board of Governors to avoid making a decision later this week on whether to conduct fall championships as college sports tries to find a path to play through the pandemic. The board could decide to call off NCAA championship events in fall sports such as soccer, womens volleyball and lower-division football. The NCAA has no authority to postpone or cancel specific seasons, a decision that would be up to individual schools or their conferences.