Justin Jefferson Chasing OBJ Record

Matchup to watch: Vikings defense vs. Matthew Stafford with a robust cast

The Vikings have faced the former Lions quarterback 21 times (and have sacked him 68) since his 2009 rookie season as the No. 1 pick of that year’s draft.

But they’ve never seen Stafford with a supporting cast so broad and balanced. Sure, Stafford had Calvin Johnson for 10 of those contests in which the Hall of Famer averaged 79.2 yards per game and totaled six touchdown catches. Detroit also had Marvin Jones, Jr., doing his best Megatron impression against the Vikings with 74.0 yards per game and nine scores in eight games together.

Cooper Kupp deserves considerable credit for leading the NFL with 122 receptions, 1,625 yards and 14 touchdowns.

The quick connection that has developed Nos. 9 and 10 is just one challenge the Vikings will have to solve Sunday. The Rams have scored on 47.7 percent of their offensive possessions, which ranks first in the NFL, and has helped Los Angeles total 386 points, which ranks fifth.

Minnesota has allowed 29 touchdown passes (26th in NFL).

Stafford ranks second in the NFL with 35 on the year (14 to Kupp, six to Van Jefferson, four to Robert Woods, three to Tyler Higbee, three to Odell Beckham, Jr., three to Darrell Henderson, Jr., and one to Sony Michel). Woods is on Injured Reserve.

“He’s obviously got more weapons,” Vikings Head Coach Mike Zimmer said. “He had Calvin Johnson for a long time and [Eric] Ebron and some of those guys. But I think the things they’re doing with him, moving in and out of the pocket. They get him in a lot of spreads where he can get the ball out quick when he needs to. I’ve seen him make great throws. He’s got such a strong arm. I mean, he looks very similar to how I remember him. Maybe he isn’t running as much as he did a couple of years when he started running all over the place. But I don’t think he’s had to.”