Vikings hold off Jets to improve to 5-0 while Aaron Rodgers struggles in London: Key takeaways

Vikings vs. Jets score and NFL Week 5 updates: highlights, schedule, inactives, predictions, odds and analysis

By Zack Rosenblatt, Alec Lewis and Alex Andrejev

The Minnesota Vikings continued their undefeated 2024 season with a 23-17 victory over the Jets on Sunday in London, while New York quarterback Aaron Rodgers struggled.

The Vikings (5-0) frustrated the Jets early and took a 17-7 lead in the first half. New York settled down and found its rhythm after a TD reception by Allen Lazard in the second quarter and a catch by Garrett Wilson in the fourth quarter. The Jets (2-3) had a chance for a game-winning drive in the final three minutes, but were unable to complete it as Rodgers threw an interception to effectively end the game.

He also threw two interceptions in the first quarter, which was the first time in his career that he threw two INTs in the first quarter, according to ESPN Research.

Rodgers said after the game that he was “definitely banged up” and suffered a sprained ankle in the loss.

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The Vikings' defense is crucial to victory

Without the Vikings defense of Brian Flores, Minnesota would not have won Sunday's game against the New York Jets. The Vikings intercepted Rodgers, a future Hall of Famer, twice in the first quarter. First, edge rusher Andrew Van Ginkel rushed off the line of scrimmage, snatched a Rodgers pass out of the air, grabbed the ball and ran the other way, stiff-arming a defender on the way to the touchdown. On the next possession, Rodgers sailed a pass over the middle and Vikings safety Cam Bynum grabbed the ball.

The Vikings defense wasn't perfect. Rodgers found more rhythm in the second half. But the Vikings limited New York's running game to 30 yards on 13 carries. Minnesota also sacked Rodgers three times and hit him nine times. Stephon Gilmore, the ageless wonder, then sealed the deal with a third interception from Rodgers. — Alec Lewis, Vikings beat writer

Minnesota's offense is struggling without Aaron Jones

Vikings running back Aaron Jones injured his hip in the first half of Sunday's game and did not return. His absence had a profound impact on the Vikings' offense. The team scored two field goals in the second half, but everything about Minnesota's offense seemed disjointed. There were penalties before and after the snap. Backup running back Ty Chandler couldn't find room to work on the ground and rushed for 30 yards on 14 carries.

The offensive line was leakier on pass-specific downs than it had been in the first four weeks of the season. And the lack of time, coupled with the rainy conditions and the Jets' defense, left quarterback Sam Darnold looking as inconsistent and out of rhythm as he has all season. — Lewis

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Jets miss comeback chance while Rodgers struggles

It felt like the Jets were going to win for a moment because Rodgers made a splash in the fourth quarter and almost led the Jets to a comeback. Instead, one could argue that they lost because of him. Rodgers threw three interceptions – his last on the Jets' final offensive play of the game, near the end zone, on a pass that wide receiver Mike Williams never turned his head on.

The first two were much worse – a pick-six in the first quarter and another bad interception on a pass intended for Lazard. Ultimately, it was Rodgers' worst game in a Jets uniform, the worst example of Rodgers looking like a 40-year-old quarterback who doesn't have quite the same physical ability as he once did. — Zack Rosenblatt, Jets beat writer

Aaron Rodgers: “That was below my standard.”

He said he undercut Mike Williams on the last interception.

— Zack Rosenblatt (@ZackBlatt) October 6, 2024

New York's wasted defense day

Ultimately, the Jets squandered a stellar defensive effort, the unit making Darnold look like the version of Darnold that used to play for the Jets.

The defense, and defense alone, kept the Jets in the game. Darnold was 14 of 31 passes for 179 yards and one interception, the pick coming in the fourth quarter after a poor pass but an impressive pick by cornerback Brandin Echols. The Jets had four sacks and Minnesota converted just four of 13 third downs, but ultimately it wasn't enough as the Jets' offense struggled for most of the day. — Rose petal

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(Photo: Mario Hommes / DeFodi Images via Getty Images)