Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell announced that QB Carson Wentz will start for the Minnesota Vikings vs. Chargers on Thursday Night Football, marking his fifth appearance as the starter. This is great news for Vikings star WR Justin Jefferson, who is averaging nearly 10 targets per game with Wentz compared to just 3.5 targets per game with QB JJ McCarthy.
Below, we'll spotlight Justin Jefferson stats and projections vs. Chargers, plus a PrizePicks pick for the Vikings All-Pro WR vs. a high-flying offense on Thursday Night Football.
Justin Jefferson vs. Chargers Stats, Pick for Thursday Night Football
Here are Jefferson's stat projections via the PrizePicks NFL board for Vikings vs. Chargers on Thursday Night Football tonight.
Vikings WR Justin Jefferson Projection: 26.5 Yards Longest Reception
- Jefferson has recorded a reception longer than 26.5 yards in each of his last five games.
- He’s averaging 38.6 yards on his longest catch during that span, easily surpassing the current projection.
- Longest reception by a wide receiver vs. the Los Angeles Chargers defense by week:
- Week 1: Hollywood Brown – 49 yards
- Week 2: Jakobi Meyers – 25 yards
- Week 3: Courtland Sutton – 52 yards
- Week 4: Darius Slayton – 18 yards
- Week 5: Luke McCaffrey – 50 yards
- Week 6: Jaylen Waddle – 45 yards
- Week 7: Alec Pierce – 48 yards
- Jefferson ranks eighth among wide receivers in yards per target, averaging 10.15, according to Statmuse.
- Jefferson ranks third in yards per route run vs. zone coverage among all NFL WRs.
- The Chargers play zone coverage at the fifth highest rate in the NFL, per PFF.
- Jefferson is averaging 96.8 yards receiving over his last five games.
Justin Jefferson Stats on Thursday Night Football
Justin Jefferson has played in four Thursday Night Football games since being drafted in 2020. The Vikings are 2-2 in those games, but Jefferson has at least 115 or a touchdown in every games, including seven receptions in all three.
- 2021 vs. Steelers: 7-79-1 (9 targets)
- 2022 vs. Patriots: 9-139-1 (11 targets)
- 2023 vs. Eagles: 11-159-0 (13 targets)
- 2024 vs. Rams: 8-115-0 (9 targets)
Data via StatMuse: Vikings on Thursday Night Football since 2020
Justin Jefferson Stat Projections vs. Chargers for TNF
When the Thursday Night lights shine bright, Jefferson shows out, with four big performances preempting this Thursday night showdown.
Jefferson's projections are live on the PrizePicks NFL board as he faces off against the Los Angeles Chargers on TNF. Pick More or Less and pick right to win cash.
Check out Justin’s top projections for tonight’s Chargers showdown, via PrizePicks.
- 79.5 Receiving Yards
- 0.5 Rush+Rec TDs (Demon)
- 5.5 Receptions
- 16 Fantasy Score
- 8.5 Rec Targets
- 10.5 Yds First Rec
- 24.5 Receiving Yards in First 2 Receptions
Make Thursday Night Football Picks on PrizePicks
Justin Jefferson's one of the most electrifying receivers in the NFL, and he's . He’s not just a volume catcher, he’s a game-breaker. Defenses like the Chargers can double-team him, but few can actually stop him. He’s a threat to score from anywhere on the field.
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