Minnesota Vikings: 3 Bold predictions in Week 17 vs. Lions

2. Justin Jefferson breaks Randy Moss’ rookie record

One player who has stepped up and performed well perhaps earlier than many expected has been Vikings rookie wide receiver Justin Jefferson.

Jefferson, who was drafted with the No. 22 overall pick out of LSU in the opening round of the 2020 NFL Draft, has been the top rookie so far this season and has put up some impressive numbers within Minnesota’s offense in a large role during his rookie campaign.

In the game on Sunday afternoon in Week 17 against Detroit, Jefferson will continue to build onto a strong first season in the NFL that has already included breaking a few records and most recently receiving a nod to the Pro Bowl in his inaugural year.

Jefferson is on pace to break Randy Moss’ rookie receiving yardage record coming into the game, needing less than 50 yards to do just that and take the top of the exclusive list.

Jefferson already broke Moss’ rookie team record for most receptions in a season, but there is another record next on his to-do list. Moss recorded a total of 1,313 receiving yards during his 1998 rookie season, and Jefferson comes into Week 17 needing just 46 yards to tie that mark and 47 yards to surpass it.

In the 2020 season, Jefferson has tallied 79 receptions for seven touchdowns in 15 games and comes into Week 17 with a total of 1,267 receiving yards. He ranks fourth in the league behind only DeAndre Hopkins, Travis Kelce and Stefon Diggs in yards receiving to this point in the year.

In the regular-season finale against a NFC North opponent, Jefferson will finish off an impressive year by breaking yet another record.