Justin Jefferson stupidly gave Jaire Alexander free bulletin board material in Week 4

Minnesota Vikings star wide receiver Justin Jefferson claims he doesn't care about a potential one-on-one matchup against Green Bay Packers All-Pro Jaire Alexander.

However, the comments that immediately followed sure sounded like a player who cares about it a lot.

Alexander is questionable for Sunday's game due to a quad injury, but if he's active, we will finally see the next chapter in a great rivalry between two of the best players at their respective positions.

Due to various injuries, the two haven't played each other since the famous 2022 matchup. Jaire shut down Jefferson that day and mocked his "Griddy" celebration after a pass breakup. Jefferson missed the game at Lambeau Field last season due to injury, and the Packers suspended Alexander for the rematch in December. Hopefully, Alexander is good to go this week.

Reporters asked Jefferson about the matchup ahead of Packers-Vikings this weekend, and the All-Pro receiver handed Alexander some great bulletin board material.

"I don't really care about the matchup, honestly. I feel like he cares more than I do. But it is what it is," said Jefferson, according to Alec Lewis of The Athletic.

How did he feel when Alexander did his "Griddy" celebration against him?

"I mean, it is what it is. Just like I said, he likes to do that stuff to get inside someone's head. I'm not really tripping on that," said Jefferson. "I'm just going to get my get back by Griddying in his end zone. So, I'm not tripping on it at all. I'm excited for the matchup."

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The line about wanting to do the "Griddy" in "his" end zone sure sounded like someone who cares about the one-on-one matchup. However, it's one Alexander has dominated in previous meetings.

Packers' Jaire Alexander has dominated matchup against Justin Jefferson

Jefferson has enjoyed plenty of success against the Packers' defense, but not against Alexander specifically. It's why the Packers need him to play this weekend.

According to Next Gen Stats, Alexander shadowed Jefferson on 65.2 percent of his routes the last time they met, allowing zero catches on two targets.

Earlier that season, Jefferson caught nine passes for 184 yards and two touchdowns against the Packers, but he barely saw Alexander in coverage. It's what prompted then-defensive coordinator Joe Barry to make a schematic change in the rematch.

According to Zachary Jacobson of 247 Sports, in their four games against each other, Alexander has only allowed one catch for 12 yards when covering Jefferson.

Has Alexander received safety help? Sure, but that's typical when a defense is covering an elite wide receiver like Jefferson. Teams did the same to Davante Adams during his time in Green Bay. It's also a plan Jeff Hafley can go to again this week.

They haven't met often, but history suggests Alexander has gotten the better of Jefferson when the two have gone head-to-head.

Packers-Vikings is a must-watch game this week. With first place in the NFC North on the line, it's a crucial game for both teams. If Alexander is healthy, his battle with Jefferson will be one of the game's most important matchups.

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