The NFL world has its eyes on Sauce Gardner vs. Justin Jefferson
Sauce versus JJettas, the rookie against the sophomore, the lanky stud cornerback pitted against the lanky talented offensive weapon.
We’re of course referencing Sauce Gardner and Justin Jefferson—one of the marquee matchups in NFL Week 13 play.
Sauce’s 7-4 New York Jets head to Minneapolis to take on Jefferson’s 9-2 Minnesota Vikings, a game that will determine a lot as far as the 2022 NFL playoffs are concerned.
Jets at Vikings game info
- New York Jets (7-4)
- Minnesota Vikings (9-2)
- NFL, Week 13, Dec. 4, 2022, 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS
- U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN
The 7-4 New York Jets look for their eighth victory of the season in Minnesota when they take on the 9-2 Vikings.
The game is scheduled to kick off at 1:00 p.m. ET from U.S. Bank Stadium, while broadcasted on CBS with the familiar team of Ian Eagle and Charles Davis calling the game.
On the road, the Jets will wear their white tops and black pants, as voted on by the fans this past week.
Love a good road test. pic.twitter.com/hsmAk3wltB
— New York Jets (@nyjets) December 3, 2022
Jets at Vikings history
- The Jets lead the all-time series 8-3.
The New York Jets lead the all-time series against the Minnesota Vikings, 8-3, despite dropping the most recent two games.
In October 2018, the Vikings shellacked the Jets, 37-17, with Kirk Cousins going for 241 yards and two touchdowns at MetLife Stadium.
Jets at Vikings odds (FanDuel Sportsbook)
- Spread: Jets +3 (-114), Vikings -3 (-106)
- Moneyline: Jets +132, Vikings -154
- Over/Under: 44.5 (O: -105, U: -115)
New York getting three points on the road pretty much places this one as a toss-up. If you’re in a survivor pool (this late in the season), picking this game would be a high-anxiety venture.
Jets at Vikings injury report
New York Jets
- Ashtyn Davis (Hamstring): Out
- Michael Carter (Ankle): Doubtful
- Cedric Ogbuehi (Groin/Illness): Doubtful
- Duane Brown (Shoulder): Questionable
Ladies and gentlemen, it’s Zonovan “Bam” Knight time. Michael Carter will most likely miss this one with an ankle, and with Breece Hall on the season-ending shelf, the undrafted rookie free agent should see plenty of touches, along with Ty Johnson and perhaps James Robinson.
Ashtyn Davis will miss another game thanks to a hamstring, whereas Cedric Ogbuehi is doubtful due to a groin/illness designation.
Starting left tackle Duane Brown is expected to play, despite his questionable status (shoulder).
Minnesota Vikings
- Christian Darrisaw (Concussion): Out
- Ben Ellefson (Groin): Out
- Ross Blacklock (Illness): Questionable
Christian Darrisaw’s impending absence could work out in a big way for the Jets’ loaded pass rush. Elsewhere, Ben Ellefson will also be out with a groin, while Ross Blacklock is questionable with an illness.
Jets at Vikings prediction
- New York Jets 30, Minnesota Vikings 26
Expect some scoring in this one. Perhaps a 33-31 final is a bit ambitious, but I expect both teams to easily score into the 20s.
Mike White should have another strong game, close to 300 yards and two or three touchdowns to one or two interceptions (however, this time around), but it’ll be more a product of the uptempo game flow.
Defensively, Justin Jefferson will get his. In today’s NFL, even “lockdown” corners cannot shut down wide receivers all game. It’s simply impossible with the way the rules are written these days.
However, Sauce Gardner will do more than enough to take away the Vikings’ main threat, which will give them fits all afternoon. In fact, Dalvin Cook could have a sneaky good game on the ground, and especially in the passing game, as Kirk Cousins looks to attack the Jets’ linebacking group through the air.
Interestingly, the Vikings are a great matchup for this young Jets team.
