Last month, while the Chicago Bears focused on keeping Justin Jefferson quiet, the Minnesota Vikings turned to Jordan Addison to take the spotlight.
With Sam Darnold’s strong passing, stopping the Vikings’ passing attack has become a tough job. The Bears will face this challenge again on Monday night in Minnesota.
“We always say that we’re the best duo in the entire league,” Jefferson said after he and Addison achieved a new milestone in the Vikings’ history.
In their 42-21 win over Atlanta last week, they became the first duo in the franchise’s 64 seasons to both record at least 100 yards receiving and two touchdown catches. Addison scored three touchdowns in that game, bringing his total to 17 touchdowns in just 28 career games. Only a few players, like Randy Moss and Rob Gronkowski, have scored more touchdowns before turning 23.
Addison, who was drafted in the first round last year, has had a rough start to his career off the field with a couple of driving incidents that might lead to punishment from the NFL.
After a humble start to his season, dealing with an ankle sprain before the opener and then injuring the opposite foot, Addison has now found his rhythm alongside Darnold, with the Vikings (11-2) on a winning streak.
In the last four games, Addison has caught 23 passes for 410 yards and five touchdowns, contributing to the Vikings’ six-game winning streak. This success comes despite opposing teams focusing on double- or even triple-covering Jefferson.
“Especially with how Justin gets defended, normally the player that’s defending Jordan or even in zone coverages, they know they need to cover him or he will be wide open, and that’s proven true,” said Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell. “He’s shown that he can play through contact and down the field.”
Addison’s catch in the third quarter of the game against Chicago on Nov. 24 showed his ability to keep balance and control, despite being smaller at 5-foot-11 and 175 pounds. Darnold threw a perfect pass into the gap between linebacker T.J. Edwards and safety Jonathan Owens. Owens attempted to tackle Addison, but Addison broke free for a 69-yard catch and run.
“That’s exactly what we saw in Jordan, knowing he had elite quickness, great separation skills, hands, and ball tracking,” O’Connell said. “As he’s gotten stronger, his work is showing in his play.”
In their 30-27 overtime win over the Bears in Week 12, Jefferson had just two catches for 27 yards. However, Addison made a huge impact with eight catches for 162 yards, while tight end T.J. Hockenson added seven receptions for 114 yards. Aaron Jones also rushed for a season-high 106 yards.
“We expect them to focus on stopping Justin, but we never know what will happen. So, everyone just needs to be ready,” said Jones. “I think we have one of the best skill groups in the league now.”
