News · Analysis · Community · Forever SkolThe Minnesota Vikings opened the season with a comeback win over the Green Bay Packers, but the victory papered over a lopsided passing attack that leaned almost entirely on Justin Jefferson, according to vikingsterritory.com. Jefferson caught passes accounting for 92 of the team's 151 receiving yards, along with two touchdowns and a two-point conversion, the outlet reported.
No other wide receiver caught a pass in the opener. Jordan Addison was targeted twice and came up empty on both, though he got his fingertips on one deep throw on a full-stretch dive, per the report. Jauan Jennings saw only one target, early in the game while Kyler Murray was still at quarterback, and that pass was intercepted while thrown into double coverage in his direction, the outlet reported. Tai Felton and Myles Price did not draw a single target.
The tight end group fared better, with TJ Hockenson and Josh Oliver combining for six catches, 58 yards and a touchdown, according to the report. The Vikings' offense struggled to sustain long drives outside of one series aided by three Packers penalties that ended in an Aaron Jones rushing touchdown; a fourth-quarter defensive stand and a long kickoff return from Price helped set up the winning field position, per the outlet.
Carson Wentz has developed chemistry with Jefferson dating back to last season, the report noted, but that reliance becomes a bigger concern entering a Week 2 matchup against a Chicago Bears offense the outlet described as dynamic. Complicating matters, running back Jordan Mason was placed on injured reserve with a thumb injury, which the outlet suggested will increase the passing workload for Addison and Jennings. The two receivers offer contrasting skill sets — Addison's route-running and vertical speed against Jennings' physicality on contested catches — and the outlet argued that three combined targets between them is not sustainable if Minnesota wants its offense functioning at full capacity.
Whether the Vikings' coaching staff adjusts the game plan to get both receivers more involved remains to be seen. The season is only one game old, and the Week 2 matchup against Chicago will offer an early test of whether the passing offense can expand beyond its star wideout.