Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson scored a prolific touchdown against the Green Bay Packers. Yet, should it have even counted?
If the roles were reversed, and the Packers had pushed Jefferson on said play, it’s fair to assume they would’ve been called for pass interference. It’s just another example of how star power plays in the NFL.
Jefferson is having an amazing season, and he added to his already-impressive totals on Sunday afternoon against the Packers. The Vikings briefly took a fourth quarter lead on Green Bay with this touchdown pass from Kirk Cousins to Jefferson.
Justin Jefferson hauls in the deep ball and takes it down to the 1 😤
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) November 21, 2021
(via @NFL)
pic.twitter.com/5DoFD3MUeM
That’s a great play by Jefferson, and it will go down as such. But did the officials swallow the whistle?
Justin Jefferson is fricken awesome. No doubt. Looked like a bit of a push off to gain the needed separation. Could have been called. Not super surprised it wasn’t.
— Andy Herman (@AndyHermanNFL) November 21, 2021
https://twitter.com/FO_ASchatz/status/1462522133586849797
Justin Jefferson is absurd. push off or not, just so good
— Eric Hubbs (@BarstoolHubbs) November 21, 2021
Did Justin Jefferson push off?
Jefferson is emerging as one of the best receivers in the NFL. He will get the benefit of that no-call until the end of his career, assuming he stays at that level. It’s just how the NFL is run.
The LSU product appears to extend his arms on the catch, and gave the Packers defender a shove. Were this Lambeau Field, perhaps Packers fans would have some influence. But it’s not, and Jefferson was allowed to celebrate in peace.
The Vikings got the call, and all is right with the world…in Minnesota at least.