The Vikings offense has experienced significant adjustments, adapting to the absence of both Jefferson and Kirk Cousins. In the upcoming Week 14 game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Jefferson will be starting without Cousins as his quarterback for only the second time in his career. The choice of the quarterback remains uncertain, with options like sticking with Josh Dobbs for improvisation with his scrambling ability or selecting Nick Mullens, who closely resembles Cousins in the Vikings’ offensive scheme. Regardless of the quarterback, Jefferson is expected to play a crucial role in the Vikings’ playoff push for the remaining five regular-season games. The decision on the quarterback will be based on their ability to accurately deliver the ball to Jefferson, as stated by Coach Kevin O’Connell.
O’Connell emphasized Jefferson’s significant role in the offense and expressed the importance of integrating the best receiver in football back into the game plan. The return of Jefferson has positively impacted the Vikings’ odds for the Week 14 matchup against the Raiders. While major sportsbooks favor the Vikings by 3 points, Heavy’s projection engine, Quarter4, predicts a 6-point favor for Minnesota, considering Jefferson’s potential return after missing seven games.
Despite the optimistic outlook for the Vikings, the game is expected to be low-scoring, as both teams are without their starting quarterbacks. The Raiders are likely to start rookie Aidan O’Connell, holding a 2-3 record as a starter with four touchdowns and six interceptions this season. The Raiders have managed to surpass 20 points only once with O’Connell under center.
