Jefferson: Vikings' 40-3 loss to Cowboys 'a lesson learned'
Although Justin Jefferson characterized the Minnesota Vikings' 40-3 home loss to the Dallas Cowboys as "embarrassing" and "a disaster all around," the wide receiver is choosing to look for the silver lining in the defeat.
"It's just a lesson learned, just like (after Minnesota's Week 2 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles)," Jefferson said, according to ESPN's Kevin Seifert.
"We're learning things about each other, learning ways to win. And it's all going to turn out better for us later in the season when we get to the playoffs and we get to that stretch where we need to win and we need to know what to do and how to change up the plan if things are not going well."
The Vikings entered Sunday riding a seven-game win streak that included a statement victory on the road against the Buffalo Bills in Week 10. However, the Cowboys limited them to 1-for-11 on third downs and outgained Minnesota 458-183 in total yards. Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins was sacked seven times.
Jefferson said he thinks Minnesota didn't make enough adjustments during the contest.
"It's tough with Kirk getting sacked before you're even getting out of the break," Jefferson said. "It's definitely being in a tough situation, but we've just got to move toward more (of a) quick game, getting the ball out quicker, putting the ball in space, and letting people work."
"If things are not working out the way we planned, then we need to find a way to adjust and go toward something that will work better for us," he added. "We just can't continue to keep doing the same thing throughout the game even though it's not working."
Jefferson continued: "This is a new team. This is a new coaching staff. We have new players on this team. We're all still learning each other."
The 23-year-old Jefferson, who put on a show with 10 receptions for 193 yards and one touchdown last week against the Bills, caught only three passes and 33 yards versus the Cowboys. He's now up to 1,093 yards and four touchdowns on 72 catches this season.
The Vikings will try to get back into the win column Thursday night against the New England Patriots.