Watch: Justin Jefferson TD gives Vikings big 'MNF' lead

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) warms up before the game against the Chicago Bears at U.S. Bank Stadium. Brad Rempel-Imagn Images

Watch: Justin Jefferson TD gives red-hot Vikings double-digit 'MNF' lead

By Eric Smithling | Last updated Dec 16, 2024 8:58 PM ET

Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson is heating up at the right time.

Minnesota's All-Pro wideout scored his eighth touchdown of the season and third in his last two games in the first quarter of a divisional Monday night showdown against the Bears.

Quarterback Sam Darnold threw his NFL-high 15th touchdown on play action ( h/t Pro Football Focus) on the play, which began with Jefferson to the left of the formation and ended with him open in the back right of the end zone.

Darnold. Jefferson. SIX.

: #CHIvsMIN on ABC
: Stream on #NFLPlus & ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/yxeaGOD4HS
— NFL (@NFL) December 17, 2024

The score gave the Vikings (11-2) a 10-0 lead in their effort to keep pace with the Lions (12-2) for first in the NFC North.

Minnesota has won six straight. Its last loss was on Oct. 24 to the Rams.

Jefferson snapped a six-game touchdown-less streak last Sunday with two against the Falcons. With scores in back-to-back weeks, Jefferson is peaking at the perfect time.

During his celebration on Monday night, Jefferson shouted out ESPN NFL analyst and former Vikings receiver Randy Moss, who recently shared a cancer diagnosis.

"WE LOVE YOU RANDY!" @RandyMoss pic.twitter.com/6qS4kScTzC
— NFL (@NFL) December 17, 2024

The touchdown came after Minnesota's defense forced a fumble. Per Pro Football Reference, the Vikings entered Monday forcing a turnover on 17.2 percent of opponent drives, the league's second-highest rate.

Despite having the league's fourth-best record, the Vikings (11-2) aren't getting the respect they deserve as a Super Bowl contender.

Per ESPN's Football Power Index, Minnesota ranks seventh in odds to win the Super Bowl, trailing the Ravens (9-5) and Packers (10-4).

In an on-field interview with ESPN's Lisa Salters before the start of the second quarter, Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell discussed Jefferson's touchdown and said, "We feel really good about Justin's matchup against anybody."

Armed with an elite defense and wide receiver, O'Connell should like the Vikings against anybody, too.

Eric Smithling

Eric Smithling is a writer based in New Orleans, LA, whose byline also appears on Athlon Sports. He has been with Yardbarker since September 2022, primarily covering the NFL and college football, but also the NBA, WNBA, men’s and women’s college basketball, NHL, tennis and golf. He holds a film studies degree from the University of New Orleans

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