Detroit Lions vs. Minnesota Vikings: 3 key matchups for Week 3
By Zach Payne
Matchup No.1: Lions CB Jeff Okudah vs. Vikings WR Justin Jefferson
Heading into the season, there was a healthy amount of skepticism surrounding Jeff Okudah. Questions about whether or not he could become a competent starting corner, coming off a torn Achilles given his body of work in the NFL through two (albeit injury-filled) seasons had to be asked. Two weeks into the season, Okudah has looked the part. His place in the lineup is cemented to the point it’s noticeable when he comes off the field.
However, this week he faces his most difficult challenge in Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson. Through two weeks this season, Jefferson sits fifth in yards with 232 and tied for fifth in receptions with 15.
Jefferson has a rare blend of route running expertise, size, and speed that makes him a dynamic threat in the Vikings’ offense. Since Jefferson was drafted in 2020, he has played the Lions four times. In those four games he has averaged 7.5 receptions, 9.5 targets, and 125.8 yards per game. Detroit has typically tasked Amani Oruwariye with covering Jefferson, and it clearly has not worked. Oruwariye also missed last week’s game with a back injury and his status for this week is unclear, so it may be on Okudah to matchup with Jefferson.
Okudah will surely get some help on Jefferson. But there will be plenty of occassions he has to win on an island against one of the best wide receivers in the NFL, and it will be in those moments we see how the third-year corner reacts. In the past, a big play or two has rattled Okudah. If he can keep his composure and stay disciplined on Sunday, it will go a long way toward keeping Jefferson in check.