Vikings WR Justin Jefferson trying to 'mentally' get himself back into 'savage mode' 

“Mentally, just wanting to get back into that mode,” Jefferson said to Andrew Krammer of The Minnesota Tribune at a Thursday news conference. “I like to say savage mode. … Just going out there and just killing it and not worrying about the plays, not worrying about anything else I can’t control. Doing everything I can control and making the most of my opportunities." 

“I felt like I was on a different level,” he added. “Just try to work back into that.”

This season, Jefferson has 686 yards (eighth in the NFL) for an average of 13.5 yards and has scored two touchdowns. 

Vikings must start getting Justin Jefferson back involved in their offense

The Vikings enter Week 11 with the league's 22nd-best passing offense (197.8 yards) and are set to face the Chicago Bears, who have the 26th-best passing defense (240.3 yards) in the NFL. During their two-game winning streak, the Bears defense allowed 470 receiving yards and four touchdowns to Joe Flacco and the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 9 and 287 yards against the New York Giants in Week 10.

Jefferson was a non-factor in the Vikings' Week 1 matchup against the Bears, having 44 yards on six targets with a touchdown. However, given the Bears' inefficiency in stopping the pass over the past couple of games, the two-time All-Pro could be key in helping Minnesota reach its fifth win and get to .500 (5-5) on the season. The Vikings have just a 15% chance of making the playoffs as it stands, but that percentage will increase to 21% with a win on Sunday. 

Minnesota head coach Kevin O’Connell isn’t concerned that Jefferson is frustrated, saying it’s “a part of the game.”

“There was some frustration,” O’Connell said, “and maybe with not having a couple calls go his way from a referee standpoint, but that’s all part of the game.

“He’s so competitive. But I have no concerns with Justin.”

Jefferson can end his frustrations if he and McCarthy can get on the same page by Sunday.