Sam Darnold helped the Minnesota Vikings get off to a good start in Sunday's 23-17 victory against the San Francisco 49ers, throwing to wide receiver Justin Jefferson for a stunning 97-yard touchdown.

The score gave the Vikings a 10-0 lead early in the second quarter, just after the 49ers turned the ball over on downs near the goal line.

Justin Jefferson

WR - MIN - #18

Week 2 v. SF

4

Rec

133

Yds

1

TD

7

Targets

Darnold connected with Jefferson off a stunning pass from inside the Vikings' own end zone. Jefferson reeled in the catch just past midfield and was able to cut around San Francisco's defense for the touchdown.

The 49ers had gone for it on fourth-and-short near the goal line, but failed to get across, handing the ball back to Minnesota. On second-and-9, Darnold launched the ball 50 yards toward Jefferson, a somewhat risky move (with a low probability) that ultimately paid off.

With the reception, Jefferson passed 6,000 career receiving yards. Jefferson achieved the milestone in 62 games, tied for the fastest in NFL history.

Jefferson finished with four catches for 133 receiving yards. He left the game in the third quarter with a quad injury and didn't return.

Jefferson's massive catch comes a day after he made comments separating him from the rest of the NFL's elite receiver corps. When asked if watching how the 49ers defended the New York Jets' top receiver, Garrett Wilson, in San Francisco's dominant Week 1 win helped him prepare for Sunday, Jefferson shut down the comparison.

"I mean, respectfully, I'm not Garrett Wilson. Teams play me totally different," Jefferson said.

On Sunday, he and Darnold proved that again.