Player Of The Month

Minnesota Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson is making November his own. After recording 24 catches for 464 yards and three touchdowns last November, he was named NFC Offensive Player of the Month. After recording 29 catches for 490 yards and three touchdowns this November, he was named NFC Offensive Player of the Month. Jefferson produces throughout the season but appears to turn it up in November. Unlike his first two years in the league, the Vikings are playing big games in December, January, and hopefully February. Jefferson shines in the biggest moments. He’s just getting started. For now, this is about his terrific November 2022. 

Jefferson’s November Games:

11/6/22 vs Commanders: 7 catches, 115 yards, TD

11/13/22 vs Bills: 10 catches, 193 yards, TD

11/20/22 vs Cowboys: 3 catches, 33 yards

11/24/22 vs Patriots: 9 catches, 139 yards, TD

It’s easy to pick the outlier. That Cowboys game was essentially over when Micah Parsons head-butted Christian Darrisaw out of the game. 

Jefferson may have wrapped up the award with his ridiculous catch on 4th-and-17 against the Bills. That play and that game earned him NFC Player of the Week and probably pegged him as the leading contender for monthly and possibly season awards.

Awards are nice. Wins are better.

From the Vikings website:

"It is what it is. As long as you're doing what you need to do for your team, as long as … we're all having smiles on our face, that's all that really matters," Jefferson said. "Getting the Player of the Week is cool, getting the accolades are fun, but as long as you're winning, that's what matters."

Jefferson is the second Vikings player this season to take home a Player of the Month award. Outside linebacker Za’Darius Smith was named NFC Defensive Player of the Month for October. 

This season, five Vikings players have been named NFC Player of the Week. 

Kene Nwangwu, Special Teams, Week 12

Justin Jefferson, Offensive, Week 10

Za’Darius Smith, Defensive,  Week 8

Ryan Wright, Special Teams, Week 6

Greg Joseph, Special Teams, Week 4

Historically speaking, Jefferson is the 41st Vikings player to named Player of the Month.

1986: Doug Martin, DE, Defense, September

1989: Keith Millard, DT, Defense, October

1989: Chris Doleman, DE, Defense, December

1990: Joey Browner, S, Defense, November

1992: Chris Doleman, DE, Defense, September

1993: Chris Doleman, DE, Defense, December/January

1994: Jack Del Rio, LB, Defense, September

1994: Anthony Parker, CB, Defense, October

1994: John Randle, DT, Defense, December

1994: Fuad Reveiz, Special Teams, December

1995: Warren Moon, QB, Offense, November

1996: John Randle, DT, Defense, September

1997: Jake Reed, WR, Offense, September

1997: John Randle, DT, Defense, October

1998: Randall Cunningham, QB, Offense, October

1998: Mitch Berger, P, Special Teams, November

1998: John Randle, DT, Defense, December

1999: Mitch Berger, P, Special Teams, September

1999: Cris Carter, WR, Offense, November

1999: John Randle, DT, Defense, December

2000: Robert Smith, RB, Offense, November

2000: Mitch Berger, P, Special Teams, December

2003: Daunte Culpepper, QB, Offense, September

2004: Daunte Culpepper, QB, Offense, October

2005: Chris Kluwe, P, Special Teams, September

2005: Darren Sharper, S, Defense, November

2009: Brett Favre, QB, Offense, November

2011: Jared Allen, DE, Defense, October

2012: Percy Harvin, KR, Special Teams, September

2012: Adrian Peterson, RB, Offense, December

2012: Blair Walsh, K, Special Teams. December

2013: Cordarrelle Patterson, KR, Special Teams, September

2014: Everson Griffen, DE, Defense, October

2015: Adrian Peterson, RB, Offense, November

2017: Everson Griffen, DE, Defense, October

2017: Case Keenum, QB, Offense, November

2019: Kirk Cousins, QB, Offense, October

2020: Dalvin Cook, RB, Offense, November

2021: Justin Jefferson, WR, Offense, November

2022: Za’Darius Smith, OLB, Defense, October

2022: Justin Jefferson, WR, Offense, November

Congratulations Justin Jefferson!