Is Justin Jefferson playing tonight vs Cardinals in Week 8?

Justin Jefferson is one of the best young wide receivers in the NFL and one of the stars for the Minnesota Vikings. In his rookie season back in the 2020 - 2021 season, he showed why he was worthy of a first-round selection in the 2020 NFL Draft. That season, he had 88 receptions, 1,400 yards, and seven touchdowns. The 1,400 yards were the third-most for a rookie in a season in NFL history.

Jefferson finished second in the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year voting that season. The former LSU Tigers star followed up his rookie season with an even more impressive second season. In the 2021 - 2022 season, he had 108 receptions, 1,616 yards, and 10 touchdowns. The Vikings star finished fourth that season in receptions and second in receiving yards.

Thus far in the 2022 - 2023 season, he has 46 receptions, 654 yards, and two touchdowns. Those two touchdowns came back in Week One versus the Green Bay Packers. However, he scored his first career rushing touchdown against the New Orleans Saints in Week Four in London.

Justin Jefferson's status against the Cardinals

Thus far in the 2022 - 2023 season, it's been a slow start based on the standards of the wideout. Barring anything cataclysmic, the 23-year-old should be on the field at U.S. Bank Stadium to face the Arizona Cardinals in Week 8. He and the Vikings faced the Cardinals in Week Two last season.

In that game, he had six receptions for 65 yards and a touchdown in the 34 -33 loss to the Cardinals. The two-time Pro Bowler is looking to step up even more this time around against the Cardinals.

Justin Jefferson's fantasy football update and predictions

The Vikings receiver has been a fantasy football stud this season as he's fifth amongst receivers in fantasy points with 86.62 points. He faces a Cardinals team that's allowed the 12th fewest fantasy points this season to wide receivers at 132.6 points.

Without question, the Cardinals defense will be looking to stop Jefferson, but quarterback Kirk Cousins will target him nonetheless. The wideout has been targeted 63 times this season, which is tied for the ninth-most in the NFL. Expect the 2020 Sporting News Rookie of the Year to get at least one touchdown and plenty of yards.

Justin Jefferson's alternative picks for your fantasy team

If you don't have the Vikings star on your fantasy team, there are a couple of options to choose from. Las Vegas Raiders wideout Davante Adams will face a Saints team who've allowed the fifth-most fantasy points to receivers. The Saints have allowed 177.5 fantasy points this season. Adams is just behind Jefferson in fantasy points at 80.9 points.

Another option is Philadelphia Eagles wideout DeVonta Smith. Smith is facing a Pittsburgh Steelers team that's allowed the second-most fantasy points to receivers this season at 206.98 fantasy points.

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