Vikings' Justin Jefferson talks building chemistry with Joshua Dobbs

Minnesota Vikings All-Pro wide receiver Justin Jefferson missed the past seven games because of a hamstring injury. He is expected to play alongside quarterback Joshua Dobbs for the first time when 6-6 Minnesota faces the 5-7 Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium this Sunday. 

"Really both ways, just on the field and in the film room, just going over different plays with him, going over the timing of everything just like we did with [injured starter Kirk Cousins], and trying to find that connection that we can use for Sunday," Jefferson said while speaking with reporters Thursday, per Nick Shook of the NFL's website. "It's been a pleasure working with him, kinda learning things that I can learn from him, that he can learn from me, and it'll be better for us when we go out on that field."

Dobbs joined the Vikings via a trade with the Arizona Cardinals on Oct. 31 and helped Minnesota earn wins on Nov. 5 and Nov. 12. The Vikings lost his next two starts, however, and Dobbs tossed a whopping four interceptions in the 12-10 defeat against the Chicago Bears on Nov. 27 that preceded Minnesota's bye. 

Despite that performance, head coach Kevin O'Connell decided to give Dobbs a chance to hold onto the QB1 gig this Sunday. 

"I feel like Josh is a smart enough quarterback to read the defenses and choose when to throw me the ball, and see the double-teams and the single-highs, all of that," Jefferson added. "So, we go over that every single day, kind of prepare for that to happen throughout the game, so I feel like we're well-prepared in that aspect of things."

The Vikings begin Week 14 as the No. 6 seed in the NFC. As of Thursday afternoon, the ESPN Football Power Index gave Minnesota a 48.6% chance to qualify for the postseason. 

"Shoot, we're trying to get to the playoffs and get to the Super Bowl," Jefferson insisted on Thursday. "I mean, the individual stats are not there for me this year, but it's more about winning for the team, more about doing things for the team to help." 

Also on Thursday, oddschecker listed the Vikings as three-point favorites against the Raiders.