Justin Jefferson breaking one of Randy Moss’ records on Thanksgiving is fitting. Moss, a Hall of Fame receiver, put on a clinic against the Cowboys on Thanksgiving Day as part of his brilliant rookie season in 1998.
During the Thanksgiving game, Justin Jefferson of the Minnesota Vikings breaks Randy Moss’ NFL receiving record.
More than two decades later, Jefferson broke Moss’ NFL record for most receiving yards in three seasons (h/t ESPN). During the first half of the Vikings’ Thanksgiving nightcap against the Patriots, Jefferson broke Moss’ record.
Jefferson had 4,109 receiving yards entering Thursday’s game, 54 yards short of Moss’ record of 4,163 yards. With 9:44 left in the first half, he passed Moss on a seven-yard grab. Greg Joseph’s game-tying field goal was aided by the catch.
During the Thanksgiving game, Justin Jefferson of the Minnesota Vikings breaks Randy Moss’ NFL receiving record.
Jefferson, who had earlier in the half caught a touchdown pass, set the record in just 43 games. Moss established the record after finishing his third season with the Vikings.
Jefferson’s 23-year-old career has been eerily similar to Moss’ start with Minnesota. Jefferson, like Moss, is a former first-round pick who, at the age of 20, was slightly younger than Moss when both were drafted by the Vikings. As rookies, both players dominated the NFL. Moss set an NFL rookie record with 17 touchdown receptions while helping the Vikings to a 15-1 record during the regular season. As a rookie, Jefferson set the franchise rookie receiving yardage record with 1,400 yards.
During the Thanksgiving game, Justin Jefferson of the Minnesota Vikings breaks Randy Moss’ NFL receiving record.
Both players followed up their outstanding rookie seasons with outstanding sophomore campaigns. Moss was named to the Pro Bowl for the second year in a row. While joining Moss, Cris Carter, and teammate Adam Thielen, Jefferson recorded the second-most single-season receiving yards in franchise history (behind only Moss).
Jefferson has kept pace with Moss in his third season after 11 games. He had 1,093 yards and four touchdowns on 72 receptions entering Thursday’s game. Moss caught 77 passes for 1,437 yards and a league-high 15 touchdowns in 2000.
During the Thanksgiving game, Justin Jefferson of the Minnesota Vikings breaks Randy Moss’ NFL receiving record.
In addition, the Vikings are on pace to go further than Moss’ Vikings did that season. The Vikings advanced to the NFC Championship Game before being defeated by the Giants. Minnesota’s current team is attempting to punch the franchise’s first Super Bowl ticket since January 1977.
