Has blueprint for defending Justin Jefferson been uncovered?
Carmen Vitali
NFC North Reporter
Minnesota Vikings huge receiver Justin Jefferson has had 10 video games of triple-digit receiving yards this season alone. He leads all certified receivers in yards, receptions and targets and has damaged a number of long-standing Vikings data within the course of, together with these set by Cris Carter and Randy Moss.
However on Sunday towards the division-rival Green Bay Packers, Jefferson was held to his second-lowest receiving complete of the season with simply 15 yards on one catch.
It was a far cry from his earlier efficiency towards Inexperienced Bay in Week 1, the place Jefferson went off for 184 on 9 catches and two touchdowns.
So, what modified?
Some (and perhaps particularly him) would say Jaire Alexander.
Towards Jefferson the primary time, Inexperienced Bay performed a comparatively uninspired two-high shell, giving Jefferson all of the cushion a zone scheme permits. Jefferson was usually left unattended because the protection was clearly nonetheless getting its sea legs beneath it. There have been blown coverages, missed assignments and an general lack of self-discipline. Jefferson took full benefit. However that wasn’t going to be the case this time round, particularly with a newfound ‘clutch’ consider Inexperienced Bay’s passing protection.
The Packers nook was tasked with defending Jefferson for a majority of the sport on Sunday as defensive coordinator Joe Barry deployed a extra man-heavy sport plan whereas mixing in numerous, albeit fairly primary, cowl 2 and three zone coverages.
Alexander didn’t shrink back from his intentions and need to protect Jefferson this time round, both.
Now whether or not it was the truth that Jefferson was so huge open the final time round because of the softer protection, or whether or not he thought Jefferson’s precise efficiency was a fluke, he was already moving into Jefferson’s head realizing full effectively he was going to be on him far more this time round. NFL groups begin putting in their gameplan with their gamers on Wednesday of each week. Alexander spoke on Thursday, seemingly already realizing it was going to be a battle between him and Jefferson come Sunday.
However whereas Alexander notched a go breakup in entrance of Jefferson and was in a position to jam him on the line whereas in press protection to throw Jefferson off his route, Alexander did not lock down Jefferson all on his personal. He had assist, even when it was oblique.
You’ve assist from all ranges of the protection on this, although Alexander does a fantastic job on his personal. The entrance is in a large rush entrance to stretch the guards and hold the inside of the offensive line guessing. You’ve the specter of Quay Walker, who even fakes as if he is coming in on the blitz, earlier than dropping into protection. After which you will have Rudy Ford coming over in help because the ball is launched in Jefferson’s route.
It is true that in a number of cases Alexander had assist from a deep security, prepared to leap on Jefferson if he bought by Alexander. It is not one thing you’ll be able to essentially depend on, particularly in single-high cases the place only one security is overlaying the deep zone. That security has to precisely learn the quarterback and react to that facet. They are often flawed. Or they cannot get there.
However it’s a security internet, and that permits guys like Alexander to play somewhat bit extra aggressively. It permits him to creep up on the line of scrimmage and interact Jefferson straight away. It permits him to danger getting beat on the line and having to play catchup if he is aware of there’s somebody coming down from deep to help. So that is what Inexperienced Bay did, whether or not in cowl 2, cowl 3 and even man. Protection was rolled to Jefferson’s facet.
It is similar to what the New York Jets did towards Jefferson with their stud rookie nook Sauce Gardner. Jefferson gained a number of extra of these battles however nonetheless ended up with simply 45 yards on seven catches. Gardner once more jammed him on the line and threw him off as he stayed on him for many of the sport.
On Sunday, it meant as an alternative that tight finish T.J. Hockenson ended up with probably the most targets from Vikings’ Kirk Cousins. Minnesota tried to take advantage of linebacker and security matchups that they felt Hockenson may win — and he did more often than not. He caught all three targets the place linebacker De’Vondre Campbell was the closest defender. He caught three of 4 targets when cornerback Rasul Douglas was on him. However whereas he was Minnesota’s most focused participant, that wasn’t precisely saying a lot as a result of stress on Cousins himself.
What’s been misplaced within the discourse surrounding Inexperienced Bay’s go protection currently is what’s taking place up entrance that is serving to. The Packers ran quite a lot of stunts out of various alignments with their protection line and the outcome was that the secondary, together with Alexander on Jefferson, did not need to work as arduous.
Observe:
Once more, Alexander jams Jefferson on the line however Jefferson recovered. It is one other wider-than-usual rush entrance, which leaves the inside of the offensive line guessing as to who to dam and stretches the guards. Quay Walker may find yourself blitzing from the pre-snap look, however as an alternative he simply eyes the quarterback to see the place he is going with the ball. In the meantime, Inexperienced Bay’s T.J. Slaton, whereas engaged along with his blockers, will get a hand up and breaks up the go on the line earlier than it even has an opportunity to get to Jefferson.
Cousins was pressured 15 occasions within the sport. He took six hits, was hurried seven occasions and suffered two sacks. He ended up with a reasonably dismal stat line, finishing 18 of 31 go makes an attempt for simply 205 yards, one landing and three interceptions. Kenny Clark led the best way in that stress effort for the Packers. He had a 91.2 go rush grade from PFF for the sport.
In the long run, it appears one of the simplest ways to cope with Justin Jefferson and the Vikings’ offense is to (duh) take Jefferson out of the equation, which is a multi-level defensive activity. Pressuring Cousins to drive the ball out can result in errant and shorter throws, which are not Jefferson’s specialty. You may throw him off on the line and the extra bodily, the higher. Simply be sure to have some assist in case your man will get burned.
And perhaps most of all? Get in his head.
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Carmen Vitali covers the NFC North for FOX Sports activities. Carmen had earlier stops with The Draft Community and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. She spent six seasons with the Bucs, together with 2020, which added the title of Tremendous Bowl Champion (and boat-parade participant) to her résumé. You may observe Carmen on Twitter at @CarmieV.
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