EAGAN, Minn. – Justin Jefferson did it again.
Down six with under 90 seconds to play on Sunday, the Vikings faced a third-and-27 from their own 16-yard line and Jefferson showcased why he's the best receiver in the world.
ESPN writer Matt Bowen ranked the best catches of the 2023 NFL season. Jefferson's spectacular 28-yard reception versus the Lions cracked the top 5.
Bowen wrote: Wondering how a highlight-reel catch stacks up against the best of the year? We have you covered, ranking every incredible reception of the 2023 NFL season. That means all of the top one-handed grabs, diving snags, toe-tapping chunk plays and ridiculous circus catches are all in one place, stacked up against each other.
Jefferson's reception ranks No. 4 according to Bowen.
Jefferson made one of the best catches of the year in a late-game situation, bringing down a jump-ball throw from quarterback Nick Mullens. With the safety driving top down and the cornerback sinking to the catch point, Jefferson went above the rim on this one. He high-pointed the ball, absorbed the contact and finished. It's big-time stuff from one of the league's best receivers.
Click here to read the rest of ESPN's top 15 catches from the 2023 season so far.
NFL.com on Alexander's suspension
Green Bay's Jaire Alexander, who likely would have been tasked with covering Jefferson a good bit this week, was suspended for one game by the team on Wednesday.
NFL.com's Kevin Patra covered the news, which included the following statement from Packers General Manager Brian Gutekunst:
"The decision to suspend a player is never easy and not one we take lightly. Unfortunately, Jaire's actions prior to the game in Carolina led us to take this step. As an organization, we have an expectation that everyone puts the team first. While we are disappointed, we had a good conversation with Jaire this morning and fully expect him to learn from this as we move forward together. We look forward to welcoming him back next week as he is a valued member of this team and will continue to be in the future."
Patra noted that Alexander went out on his own for the pregame coin toss Sunday at Carolina.
The North Carolina native wasn't announced as a game captain but crashed the pregame coin toss on Sunday and nearly cost the Packers a possession. After calling tails and winning the flip, Alexander said the Packers wanted to be on defense. Referee Alex Kemp made Alexander clarify his meaning that the Packers chose to defer. Had the clarification not occurred, Carolina could have received the ball to start both halves.
