Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson was harassed and pestered by the Green Bay Packers secondary throughout the game and it could have gone a lot worse.
The incident occurred in the second quarter with about 6 minutes left in halftime. Kirk Cousins threw his second interception of the game to Packers safety Adrian Amos. And when Amos went out of bounds, Jefferson was barely on the touchline when he removed his helmet and flung it down. He accidentally hit one of the referees on the sideline.
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Green Bay Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander (23) dances after breaking up a pass intended for Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson in the first quarter of an NFL football game in Green Bay, Wisconsin , on Sunday, January 1, 2023.
(Anthony Souffle/Star Tribune via AP)
The referee did not appear injured and Jefferson returned to the bench after the incident was over. He avoided an ejection and definitely avoided doing serious damage to the ref.
Frustrations ran high for the star wide receiver who has been the lightning bolt of the Vikings’ offense all season. He only had one catch for 15 yards on five targets as Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander chased him throughout the game. Alexander had a pass defensed in the game.
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Minnesota lost the game 41-17.
Justin Jefferson #18 of the Minnesota Vikings leaves the field after the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on January 1, 2023 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
(Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
January 1, 2023; Green Bay, Wisconsin, United States; Green Bay Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander does the griddy after breaking up a pass intended for Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) at Lambeau Field.
(Tork Mason-USA TODAY Sports)
Jefferson had a chance to bolster his case for NFL MVP with a solid performance. He entered the contest leading the NFL in receptions (123), receiving yards (1,756) and yards per game (117.1). He also had eight touchdowns and was named to a third straight Pro Bowl.
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Minnesota at least has a playoff berth. Green Bay earned its fourth straight win and could now enter the postseason with a win over the Detroit Lions next week.