The victories keep piling up for the Vikings. So does the attention.
But if there’s one message echoing through the locker room as Minnesota heads into another key matchup Sunday in Tampa, it’s that success won’t change the approach that produced it in the first place.
“We’re just taking one week at a time and winning our games,” Vikings star receiver Justin Jefferson said Wednesday. “Not really letting the outside noise seep into this building. Obviously, winning some games, more people want to talk about us and put us on a pedestal. But we’re focusing on what we can do to get better every single week.”
**_\*\*\*Click the video box above to watch Jefferson and LB Blake Cashman preview Sunday’s game at Tampa\*\*\*_**
The Vikings carry momentum that extends beyond this season. Jefferson pointed to the strong finish from a year ago as the foundation for what the team is building now. The Vikings are riding a 7-game win streak, dating back to last season.
“Our philosophy hasn’t changed,” Jefferson said. “It’s just adding key factors into our building and getting them to learn our philosophy.”
That consistency has helped Minnesota maintain the confidence of a team that believes its best football is still ahead.
Linebacker Blake Cashman said the defense, despite its strong start, has no interest in becoming satisfied.
“I think we’re all playing at a high level with a lot of confidence, but we understand that there’s still a lot of meat left on the bone,” Cashman said. “We don’t allow any room for complacency, and we’re a hungry bunch.”
Jefferson also expressed excitement about having quarterback Kyler Murray back in the lineup after limited action in the opener vs. Green Bay. Murray only played 11 snaps before departing with a concussion.
“What we’ve built throughout training camp, throughout the offseason, leading into the season, that definitely has been exciting,” Jefferson said. “The time was limited the first game, so for him to be back out there and for us to get back started with him, it’s going to be a joy to see.”
Jefferson believes Minnesota’s improved running game is beginning to create more favorable looks in the passing attack. He noted seeing more single-high safety coverages recently and expects defenses will continue facing difficult choices when trying to stop both the run and the pass.
“With our running game and how we’ve been running the ball, we’re going to get those single-coverage matchups and opportunities,” Jefferson said. “We know we won’t get many of them throughout the game, so when they do come, see it and attack it right away.”
Kickoff Sunday is at 3:05 p.m. Central.