Outside of a quality performance on the ground against the Los Angeles Chargers, the Minnesota Vikings have been unable to run the ball efficiently this season.
As a result, the Vikings have been forced to throw the ball early and often.
Cousins currently leads the NFL in passing attempts (138), throwing the ball an average of 46 times per game. Those numbers are closer to a college football air raid than an NFL team.
As a result, Vikings wide receivers have been some of the busiest in the NFL.
Justin Jefferson and KJ Osborn currently lead the league in routes run, according to Scott Barrett.
Jefferson has run 141 routes this season, while K.J. Osborn has run 130. However, neither Jefferson nor Osborn are at the top of yards per route run.
Current Leaders in YPRR
1. Marvin Mims (7.22)
2. Tyreek Hill (5.09)
3. Brandon Aiyuk (3.66)
4. Keenan Allen (3.59)Current Leaders in Routes Run
1. Justin Jefferson (141)
2. KJ Osborn (130)
175. Noah Brown (36)
194. Latavius Murray (30)
200. Marvin Mims (27)— Scott Barrett (@ScottBarrettDFB) September 26, 2023
That doesn’t mean Jefferson (or Osborn) has been efficient this season.
Jefferson leads the NFL in receiving yards this season (458) and is currently on pace to break the NFL record for receiving yards in a season. Osborn, on the other hand, has two receiving touchdowns through three weeks.