Thielen and Jefferson on Course to Break Vikings Record

explained: what to expect
Matt Blewett-USA TODAY Sports

The Minnesota Vikings have had some tremendous wide receivers over the years, and sometimes they’ve been lucky enough to have two at the same time.

That happened when the Vikings drafted Randy Moss back in 1998 to play alongside Cris Carter. That team also had Jake Reed, who was marvelous for a third receiver. It was Randy Moss’ rookie season in 1998 that the team peaked and arguably should have won the franchise’s first Super Bowl.

Of course, this is the Vikings, and it all ended in heartbreaking misery.

The best season of Moss and Carter statistically came in 2000 when the duo combined for 2,711 receiving yards. Moss led the way with 1,437 yards, while Carter amassed 1274 yards. Unsurprisingly, that is a team record for yards by a wide receiver duo for the Minnesota Vikings. I don’t think you would expect anyone other than the pair of Hall of Famers to hold such a record.

This season that record could be in danger.

A 17th game is giving current players a helping hand when it comes to breaking records. Still, when you are talking about breaking the record of two legends — the caliber of Randy Moss and Cris Carter — one shouldn’t undersell how big of a deal it would be.

The Vikings current dynamic duo of Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen is on pace to get close to the record. Through ten games, they have combined for 1,568 yards — 944 yards for Justin Jefferson and 624 yards for Adam Thielen. If they maintain their current pace over the whole season, Jefferson will finish with 1,604 yards, and Thielen will finish with 1,061. A combined total of 2605.

That leaves the current Vikings needing to make up 46 more yards. Given the increased aggression shown in offensive playcalling the last two weeks, that seems more than possible. Jefferson has had his two biggest games of the season in terms of yardage the last two games, going for 312 yards — while Thielen still managed to put upĀ 147 yards as Jefferson was dominating games.

Neither of these two is a stranger to breaking records. Back in 2018, Thielen became the first player to open a season with eight consecutive 100-yard games, tying with Calvin Johnson (another hall of fame receiver) for the record streak for any time in a season. Of course, Jefferson announced himself to the NFL last season, breaking the rookie receiving yards record.

They need 1,143 yards from the remaining seven regular-season games. That’s 164 yards a game. 82 yards each – it doesn’t sound too difficult when you put it like that.

If the Vikings continue to play like they have the last two weeks, then the pair has every chance to break the record.

Share: