With just over a couple of hundred yards to his name through three weeks of the new NFL season, Justin Jefferson appears the least threatening he has been in years, but insists that he can’t be far from a breakout game.

Away from the craziness of Ireland’s Temple Bar touristy city centre neighbourhood, and nestled in a low-profile corner of north west Dublin, the Minnesota Vikings are quietly going about their business, getting ready to face the Pittsburgh Steelers at Croke Park this Sunday.

Head coach Kevin O’Connell, CB Isaiah Rodgers, TE T.J. Hockenson, QB Carson Wentz and veteran safety Harrison Smith joined Jefferson in being made available to the media following their Friday afternoon practice at the sprawling Sport Ireland campus — and all appeared as if a huge weight had been lifted off their shoulders following last week’s demolition of Cincinnati.

That success was thanks in no small way to the heroics of cornerback Rodgers, who exuded new confidence in front of the press. Meanwhile, Hockenson appeared a dead ringer for ‘The Dude’ from The Big Lebowski, decked out in shades, slippers and some comfortable post-practice attire.

Jefferson, however, was all about the game, insisting that he is ‘ready to put on a show’ — and hinting at a special Irish edition of his ‘Griddy’ celebration. While admitting that his initial impression of Ireland was ‘beautiful with a good vibe’, he refused to be drawn on the details of any post-touchdown diversion, so Gridiron instead asked Jefferson how former LSU team-mate Ja’Marr Chase had taken the Bengals’ defeat last weekend.

“He didn’t take it so well, but that’s pretty normal,” the wideout laughed. “Talking to him after the game, hearing his insights on things, talking to him as a friend, as a brother and as a competitor, I told him it’s tough having different QBs throwing to you and not having your main man.”

Jefferson was, of course, referring to the loss of Joe Burrow as Cincy’s quarterback, and the ensuing installation of back-up Jake Browning, which did not go well in the face of the Vikings’ defense last weekend. Jefferson is having to acclimatise himself to something similar, with Carson Wentz having to step in for the injured J.J. McCarthy ahead of the Week 3 game, but doesn’t seem overly concerned, despite his slow start to the campaign.

“I always felt that confidence in myself to go out there [and do my job], regardless of who is throwing that ball,” he claimed. “I tell our QB to give me those opportunities, even when I am not the most open, and to give me those chances to go up and get the ball.”

The last meeting between the Vikings and Steelers came in 2021, with Minnesota taking the spoils in a 36-28 game. Jefferson, perhaps inevitably, provided Minnesota’s first points, corralling a 14-yard touchdown pass from Kirk Cousins as part of a 79-yard day. The Vikings raced into a 29-point lead before Pittsburgh got on the board, but the visitors dominated the fourth quarter to make the final score a lot closer than Minnesota would have wanted it to be.