The Vikings suffered a first loss of the season on the road against the Lions, leaving superstar receiver Justin Jefferson frustrated even before being heckled by a fan
Justin Jefferson scored an incredible touchdown in the Vikings' defeat to the Lions
Justin Jefferson scored an incredible touchdown in the Vikings' defeat to the Lions(Image: Getty Images)
View Image
Justin Jefferson clashed with a fan who shouted offensive words at him as the Minnesota Vikings suffered a frustrating loss to the Detroit Lions.
On Sunday, the Vikings’ unbeaten start to the season came to a screeching end in a 19-15 defeat to the Lions at Ford Field. Minnesota’s defense kept the high-flying Detroit offense in check for most of the game, with Jefferson scoring a spectacular touchdown to give the Vikings the lead at halftime.
But the Lions clawed back and, after Jack Campbell was carted off after suffering a serious injury, snatched victory thanks to Jameson Williams’ late touchdown. The result means the Vikings slip to 6-1, while the Lions are just a game back at 5-2.
READ MORE: Caleb Williams unleashed sideline rant at Seattle Seahawks defense during Chicago Bears win
It’s been an interesting start to the season for the Vikings. While the team has been winning, the offense has struggled; entering Week 8, only two teams had fewer than 10 offensive touchdowns: the winless Los Angeles Chargers and the Vikings.
Wins have masked the cracks, and the offense faltered on Sunday again. Kyler Murray threw for 210 yards and two touchdowns but also suffered a costly interception, and Jefferson - who had the most receiving yards across the first five seasons of a career in NFL history - had just five catches for 33 yards and the score.
Perhaps frustrated by the offensive output, Jefferson refused to speak to reporters after the game. It came after he was seen clashing with a fan who heckled the receiver.
“Take care of your daughter!” the man repeatedly shouted at Jefferson, who replied: “You don't know me.”
Sign up to our NFL newsletter here
The fan kept repeating the line before asking if Jefferson knew his own daughter. The 2022 Offensive Player of the Year replied: “I do.”
“No, you don’t,” the fan replied. Jefferson decided to end the interaction by appearing to say: “Shut the f--- up.”
Through seven games, Jefferson has tallied 335 yards and four touchdowns in the misfiring Minnesota offense. Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell conceded that Murray and the quarterbacks need to hit Jefferson when they get the opportunity.
When told that Jefferson didn’t speak to reporters, O’Connell said: “We had some opportunities for him, and there were some chances there. I thought we missed a couple of them high, if I remember right.
“And then just the way the flow of the game went, we only had 50 plays and trying to, you know, activate both him and J [Jordan Addison]. I thought T.J. [Hockenson] made some plays... We'll continue to find ways to get him football.
“But division game, these guys want to win. I don't fault the frustration or the competitiveness in any way, shape or form.”
Jefferson will get the opportunity to put up numbers on the big stage when his 6-1 Vikings face off against the 6-1 Buffalo Bills on Monday Night Football at U.S. Bank Stadium on Nov. 9.