Jefferson Ends Vikings Touchdown Drought Against Saints

Justin Jefferson returned from an ankle injury and caught a third-quarter touchdown for the Minnesota Vikings against the New Orleans Saints. The score ended a stretch of more than eight quarters without an offensive score, came in the back of the end zone, and gave Minnesota the lead. It was his 45th career receiving touchdown, tying Sammy White and Anthony Carter for the second-most by a Vikings player through seven seasons; Randy Moss holds the mark with 90. AOL/USA TODAY credited him with six receptions for 79 yards on seven targets. Fox Sports reported the Vikings at 5-0 and featured Kristina Pink speaking with Jefferson after the game. He grew up less than a half hour from the Caesars Superdome and played college ball at LSU. AOL described the catch as a grab over three defenders; the wire account said several defenders were nearby. Left-leaning coverage foregrounded the Louisiana homecoming and a franchise-legends framing, with one outlet also linking the news to Jordan Addison disappointment. The lone right-rated headline centered the end of the offensive touchdown drought. Rated coverage ran 3 left, 1 center, and 1 right.