The difficulty and brilliance of the reception was so great that it was almost impossible for us mere mortals to comprehend what we had just witnessed. Only the use of Fox’s replay cameras helped provide an understanding of Justin Jefferson’s capabilities.
The 23-year-old, who said before this season that his goal was to be considered the best wide receiver in the NFL by the end of the year, had just made the signature catch of his three-year career.
By now you’ve undoubtedly seen it. The Vikings, trailing Buffalo by four points with 2 minutes remaining, were facing a fourth-and-18 at their own 27-yard line. Kirk Cousins lofts a high pass toward the far sideline for Jefferson, who is covered by cornerback Cam Lewis.
The ball enters Lewis’ hands as Jefferson reaches back with his right hand. Jefferson grabs it and then, falling backward in midair, gains possession with one hand before falling to the ground for a 32-yard gain at the Buffalo 41. The catch didn’t lead to points but it proved to be a pivotal play in the Vikings’ 33-30 overtime victory that improved their record to 8-1.
It also provided a highlight moment we’ll see over and over. “(It’s) one of the more remarkable catches I’ve ever seen,” Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell said. “He’s such a special, special player.”
While the reception was spectacular, Jefferson’s reaction showed just how much he expects from himself. There was no celebration, no first-down signal, no anything. Jefferson, knowing the clock was running, gets up and lobs the ball to the official as if this was just another grab.
There has been debate about whether it might be the greatest single catch in NFL history. It was that good. So is Jefferson.
The fact he fell to the 22nd pick in the 2020 draft might be more remarkable than Randy Moss’ tumble to the 21st pick in the 1998 draft. Moss slipped because of questions about his off-the-field behavior but went on to establish himself as one of the best wide receivers in NFL history and is now in the Hall of Fame.
There were no questions about Jefferson’s character, only the misguided belief that he might struggle playing outside of the slot position. There were four wide receivers taken before Jefferson, including current teammate Jalen Reagor, who went 21st to Philadelphia and is now primarily a punt returner for the Vikings.
The Vikings were only able to select Jefferson because another outstanding wide receiver, Stefon Diggs, had forced a trade that landed him in Buffalo for four draft picks, including the first-rounder that Minnesota used to take Jefferson. Last Sunday marked the first time since that deal that Diggs had matched up against his old team. Diggs was magnificent, catching 12 of 16 passes thrown his way for 128 yards. This included a marvelous one-handed grab that was the catch of the day until Jefferson did him one better.
Jefferson also was targeted 16 times and caught 10 of the passes for a career-high 193 yards and a touchdown. His yardage total was the most by an NFL receiver this season.
Diggs and Jefferson both saw this as a chance to make a statement about who won the trade and by the end of the day it was clear the advantage belonged to the Vikings. Jefferson, after all, is providing this production while in the third year of a rookie contract. He will be eligible for a rich contract extension this coming offseason.
Jefferson has 100-plus yards receiving in six of the Vikings’ nine games and his 1,060 yards are second in the league to Miami’s Tyreek Hill. His 69 receptions are fourth in the league. On Sunday, Jefferson will get his latest opportunity to show the Dallas Cowboys they made a mistake by selecting CeeDee Lamb with the 17th pick in the 2020 draft.
Jefferson also will continue his quest to prove he is the NFL’s best wide receiver — his unbelievable catch in Buffalo being the latest evidence to support the argument.
“I’ll say after this year I’ll be the best receiver in the NFL,” Jefferson told Complex in the offseason interview. “I definitely have to give it to Davante Adams as of now, him being so crazy and dynamic on the field. His route running is crazy, so I definitely have to give it to him right now, but I’m pretty sure after this year, it’s going to be me.”
It’s hard to argue with him.
