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The Minnesota Vikings have high hopes for wide receiver Jordan Addison after selecting him in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft. His speed and shiftiness complement Justin Jefferson’s dominating play. But even without Jefferson, the former USC standout is thriving.
Surprisingly, he was having a field day through halftime of their Week 7 Monday Night Football game against the San Francisco 49ers. While the Niners have one of the NFL’s best defensive units, he had two touchdowns in the first half, including a spectacular steal from what could have been an interception.
Jordan Addison converted a turnover into a touchdown
The Minnesota Vikings faced third-and-six on their 40-yard line with seven seconds left in the second quarter. Since that distance is far from Greg Joseph’s field goal range, the Vikings’ only scoring opportunity was to convert on a Hail Mary pass.
Hence, Kirk Cousins threw a ball for Addison. Initially, San Francisco 49ers cornerback Charvarius Ward stole the ball for what could have been his second pick of the night. Coincidentally, Ward's pick was a pass intended for Addison.
However, Addison ripped the ball off his hands to complete a 60-yard touchdown play. That sequence had one football fan predicting:
“Better than Justin Jefferson I fear”
Another Twitter user commented:
“What a victory by Jordan Addison! Talk about a comeback! Incredible!”
Here are other reactions to Addison’s steal from Charvarius Ward, giving the Vikings a 17-6 halftime lead.
After six games in his rookie season, Addison has 22 catches for 277 yards and four touchdowns. Against the 49ers, he already had six catches for 110 yards and two touchdowns after three quarters. As ESPN Stats & Info pointed out:
“Jordan Addison scored his 2nd TD of the game, giving him 6 TD catches this season. That's tied for the most by a rookie through his team's 1st 7 games in the Super Bowl era. He's the 9th rookie to do it and the 2nd Viking (Randy Moss in 1998).”
It’s already a lofty company anytime a wide receiver’s achievements are compared with Pro Football Hall of Famer Randy Moss’s on-field accomplishments. More importantly, Addison is working hard to give the Vikings their first home victory this season.
Jordan Addison as WR1 for Minnesota?
Cousins found himself a reliable target in Addison, while Justin Jefferson is on injured reserve due to a hamstring injury. Since Minnesota listed Jefferson to IR after their Week 5 game against the Kansas City Chiefs, sidelining him for at least four weeks.
If that timeline sticks, he can return as early as their Week 10 game against the New Orleans Saints. With Jefferson out, Jordan Addison will continue to carry the load for the defending NFC North division champions.
