Sam Darnold helped the Minnesota Vikings get off to a good start on Sunday, throwing to wide receiver Justin Jefferson for a stunning 97-yard touchdown against the visiting San Francisco 49ers.
The score gave the Vikings a 10-0 lead early in the second quarter, just after the 49ers turned the ball over on downs near the goal line.
Darnold connected with Jefferson off a stunning pass from inside the Vikings’ own end zone. Jefferson reeled in the catch just past midfield and was able to cut around San Francisco‘s defense for the touchdown.
The 49ers had gone for it on fourth-and-short near the goal line, but failed to get across, handing the ball back to Minnesota. On second-and-9, Darnold launched the ball 50 yards toward Jefferson, a somewhat risky move (with a low probability) that ultimately paid off.
Sam Darnold & Justin Jefferson (97-yd TD)
Two plays after the Vikings defense forced a turnover on downs near their own goal line, Darnold & Jefferson connect deep to put Minnesota up two scores.
🔹 Fourth Down Stop: +8.7% Win Probability
🔹 Jefferson TD: +21.3% Win Probability pic.twitter.com/TTmsFogFYQ— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) September 15, 2024
With the reception, Jefferson passed 6,000 career receiving yards. Jefferson achieved the milestone in 62 games, tied for the fastest in NFL history.
Jefferson’s massive catch comes a day after he made comments separating him from the rest of the NFL’s elite receiver corps. When asked if watching how the 49ers defended the New York Jets‘ top receiver, Garrett Wilson, in San Francisco’s dominant Week 1 win helped him prepare for Sunday, Jefferson shut down the comparison.
“I mean, respectfully, I’m not Garrett Wilson. Teams play me totally different,” Jefferson said.
On Sunday, he and Darnold proved that again.