The Vikings MVP from a National View thru 11 Games
Through 12 weeks of the 2021 NFL season, Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins ranks as follows in all reputable quarterback metrics:
➤ 2nd in PFF
➤ 3rd in Passer Rating
➤ 3rd in DVOA
➤ 11th in EPA+CPOE
➤ 11th in QBR
Should be a no-brainer for the 33-year-old as “team MVP” to date, correct? Nope. The Vikings MVP in the first 11 games is Justin Jefferson, according to Chris Rolling of Bleacher Report. He nominated an NFL MVP for each team, and he went wide receiver for Minnesota.
Here’s how Jefferson sits for WR rankings at the moment:
➤ 3rd in Receiving Yards
➤ 5th in Yards per Target (min. 50 Targets)
➤ 7th in Receptions
➤ 9th in Targets
➤ 13th in Receiving TDs
So, not bad.
Here’s Rolling’s synopsis on Jefferson for Vikings MVP:
Eleven games in, it’s safe to say there’s no sophomore slump for Minnesota Vikings wideout Justin Jefferson. Jefferson erupted onto the scene last year with 1,400 yards and seven touchdowns while averaging 15.9 yards per catch. It’s an encore performance for him so far, as he’s gained 1,027 yards and six scores on a 15.3 average. Impressive, considering defenses have a full year of tape to understand what he can do. Jefferson is behind Adam Thielen in receiving touchdowns (10), but one could argue that’s helped due to the attention the sophomore demands. Jefferson is tops on the team with 19 plays of 20-plus yards and 48 first downs, tied for fourth among all receivers. Even if star running back Dalvin Cook hadn’t missed two games already, it’s safe to say this nod would go to Jefferson—something Vikings fans might want to get used to for a long, long time.
High praise for the Vikings sophomore.
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Minnesota teeters on the brink of another mediocre season, holding a 5-6 record through 12 weeks. Up next for the Vikings is the reasonable portion of their schedule – at Detroit, versus Pittsburgh, and at Chicago. Per FootballOutsider’s DVOA metric, Minnesota has played the fourth-toughest slate of opponents leaguewide as of early December, so the next three games feel like relief – if the Vikings are up for the task.
Against Detroit this weekend, the Vikings are seven-point road favorites. The Lions have not won a game in 2021. Their last victory occurred on December 6, 2020 – just about one year ago.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sally from Minneapolis. His Viking fandom dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).
Also Read: Vikings Audition New Running Back
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