Putting Up Numbers· NFL

The Vikings' points with Justin Jefferson and without Justin Jefferson

, ,

Against what the season’s ratings expected, the Vikings were 1.4 points under with Justin Jefferson and 8.1 points under without Justin Jefferson in 2026, 6 games against 1. The plain averages are 20.8 and 15.0, a difference of 5.8. All 4 away games were with Justin Jefferson. All 3 division games were with Justin Jefferson. All 3 first-half games were with Justin Jefferson.

Justin Jefferson, receiver: 335 receiving yards, 28 receptions and 40 targets in 6 games this season.

One game without Justin Jefferson is one game, not a sample, but maybe you can find something if you squint.

points a game over expected

The games

with Justin Jeffersonwithout Justin Jefferson
Minnesota Vikings’ games, 2026, each marked with Justin Jefferson or without Justin Jefferson
SideDateGameResultpointsExpected
Sep 13, 2026vsGBW3919.4
Sep 20, 2026@CHIW922.5
Sep 27, 2026@TBW2320.4
Oct 4, 2026vsMIAW1523.1
Oct 11, 2026@NOW2323.5
Oct 25, 2026vsINDW1624.6
Nov 1, 2026@DETL1523.1

Method

Read against .

  • Expected is an offense and a defense a team, fit over every 2026 game between two teams in the table with the game being read left out, plus 0.2 for the home team (the edge the fit finds once strength is in), nothing at a neutral site.
  • Each expected number is then fit to the season’s games: a game bears out about 23% of the difference the model predicts.
  • Who played is read from the snap counts, which name every player who took a snap on offense, defense or special teams.