The Detroit Lions are thriving in the NFC North right now. Overcoming a slow start to the season, Kelvin Sheppard's defense has looked much better in recent weeks, and it will only get better once they get Kerby Joseph back.
Notably, Dan Campbell's team got its biggest win of the young campaign when they beat the Minnesota Vikings in Week 8. Holding an offensive guru like Kevin O'Connell to 15 points is no small feat, even with Kyler Murray's struggles.
Moreover, that game may have had a big ripple effect on the divisional rivals. As Alec Lewis of The Athletic describes, it may have been the straw that broke the camel's back for star wide receiver Justin Jefferson.
Losing to the Lions may have finally broken Justin Jefferson
"On Sunday evening, after another putrid performance by the Vikings’ offense in a 19-15 loss to the Detroit Lions, Jefferson dressed in the locker room with an emotionless expression," Lewis wrote. "He wore a gray sweatsuit with little bling. He spoke to nobody and made no eye contact. He exited without talking to media members for the second time in less than a year."
Once a playful and joyful superstar, Jefferson hasn't been his usual self since last season. Frustration is boiling over the team's stagnant offense and subpar quarterback play, and putting up just 15 points against one of the worst defenses in the league may have been too much to handle.
For years, people have speculated whether Jefferson would ultimately force his way out of the Twin Cities. He's said all the right things about his commitment to the organization, but we've seen this movie before.
Of course, that doesn't mean that he'll request a trade now or that the Vikings will have no choice but to let him go at the November 10 trade deadline. But after a revolving door of mediocre quarterback play, he's clearly unhappy with his situation.
On paper, the Vikings should have one of the best offenses in the game. They have a solid running back tandem in Jordan Mason and Aaron Jones, and their wide receiver corps of Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and Jauan Jennings could be elite. They also have a solid offensive line, a premium pass-catching tight end in T.J. Hockenson, and a so-called offensive genius calling the shots.
That said, the fact that Jefferson acted this way after the first loss of the season only proves that he knows their record is fluky. He knows this is unsustainable, and even a superstar like him needs someone to throw him the ball to make an impact.
Barring a shocking turn of events, Jefferson will stay put in Minnesota. However, for the first time, this might actually be the beginning of the end.
The Lions did that.
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