Lions-Vikings Key Matchup: Cam Sutton vs. Justin Jefferson

Limiting Justin Jefferson will be key focus of Lions in Week 16.

The Detroit Lions have a chance to clinch their first division title in 30 years and on Christmas Eve against a divisional foe, the reigning NFC North champion Minnesota Vikings. You really couldn't script it any better than this.

Additionally, for a second straight week, Lions cornerback Cam Sutton will be tasked with limiting the production of a star wide receiver. His foe this week is none other than Vikings All-Pro receiver Justin Jefferson.

Jefferson doesn't have as gaudy of numbers as he did a year ago. But, it's not because of a lack of effort or a dip in ability. It's due to the fact that he's missed multiple weeks this season with a hamstring injury. It's, in fact, limited him to a career-low seven games.

However, when the LSU product has suited up in 2023, he's been mightily productive. In his abbreviated time on the field this season, he's amassed 45 receptions for 682 yards and three touchdowns. He's also averaging 15.2 yards per reception and 97.4 yards per game, while hauling in 68.2 percent of the passes thrown his way. 

On top of all that, he's recorded the fifth-best receiving grade of all qualified NFL wideouts (90.3), plus the fifth-best overall grade of all NFL receivers (90.2).

Also, in case you were wondering, he did produce 1,000-plus receiving yards in each of his first three seasons in the league, including a career-best 1,809 yards in 2022. And, 237 of those yards last season, including a staggering 223 of them in Week 14, came against a porous Lions secondary.

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"Our first game, our guys made the plays (against Jefferson)," Aaron Glenn said of Detroit's two meetings with Minnesota last season. "The second game, he made the plays. It’s as simple as that. We doubled him, just like we did both games. And, I think (former Lions cornerback) Jeff (Okudah) did a really good job of being physical with him at the beginning of every play. And, Jeff did a really good job of actually denying the ball, along with our safety.

“Then, when you come to the second game, he made some unbelievable catches with two guys on him. When you’re one of the top three receivers in this league, I mean, that can happen. The thing that we’ve got to be able to do is just out-compete that guy. He’s a fun guy to go against, because you know what’s going to happen and you know where the ball’s going. So, our guys will be ready for that.”

In every way imaginable, Jefferson has been nothing but reliable since the Vikings took him in the first round of the 2020 draft (No. 22 overall).

As for Sutton, he hasn't had the best first season in Detroit (he's failed to record a single interception and has allowed a passer rating against of 102.2).

However, he has suited up for each of Detroit's first 14 games this season, and played a significant part in keeping Broncos receiver Courtland Sutton out of the end zone a week ago. Doing that against Sutton, who had recorded a touchdown in seven of his previous eight games, was no easy feat.

Limiting Jefferson Sunday won't be a one-man job. Glenn will likely deploy multiple defensive backs to slow down the prolific receiver, as has been the case in previous matchups with Minnesota. 

Yet, Sutton will likely still receive the lion's share of reps against Jefferson. And, if the veteran defensive back can at least slightly curtail Jefferson's production, it should go a long way toward the Lions securing the Week 16 win.

My prediction is that Jefferson ends up with five receptions for 56 yards and a score in this holiday affair.