Justin Jefferson Reacts To Being Shut Down By Jaire Alexander, Being Hit With The Griddy

While the Minnesota Vikings and Justin Jefferson beat up on the Green Bay Packers in Week 1 of the season, the Packers and Jaire Alexander returned the favor in Week 17.

Green Bay routed Minnesota 41-17 and an Alexander pass break up intended for Jefferson early in the game set the tone for what was to come. Alexander also hit Jefferson with his signature Griddy celebration, which the Vikings' star did not appreciate.

Jefferson noticed, and took exception, to Alexander doing the dance and told reporters after the game that the Green Bay corner should have been given a penalty.

“I thought it was taunting. That was first of all,” Jefferson said during the postgame press conference. “I thought it was a taunting call. But it is what it is. He does stuff like that to try to get in my head and stuff like that. It is what it is.”

Alexander's early pass break up and celebration seemed to be a culmination of the build-up leading into the game.

JUSTIN JEFFERSON NEARLY BEHEADS REFEREE DURING ALL-TIME-LOW PERFORMANCE IN EMBARRASSING LOSS TO PACKERS

Jefferson cooked Alexander and the Packers' defense for 184 yards and two touchdowns in Week 1. Earlier in the week, Alexander called Jefferson's huge game "a fluke."

“Even from his comments leading into this game, it’s just talk. It’s just trying to give him that booster, that confidence, to go out there and guard me. It is what it is,” Jefferson continued. “We are probably going to see this team in the playoffs, so I guess we’ll see then.”

While it's tough to call Jefferson's Week 1 numbers a fluke, Alexander certainly kept the star wide receiver quiet this time around as Jefferson hauled in just one catch on five targets.

Written by

Mark covers all sports at OutKick while keeping a close eye on the PGA Tour, LIV Golf, and all other happenings in the world of golf. He graduated from the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga before earning his master's degree in journalism from the University of Tennessee. He somehow survived living in Knoxville despite ‘Rocky Top’ being his least favorite song ever written. Before joining OutKick, he wrote for various outlets including SB Nation, The Spun, and BroBible. Mark was also a writer for the Chicago Cubs Double-A affiliate in 2016 when the team won the World Series. He's still waiting for his championship ring to arrive. Follow him on Twitter @itismarkharris.