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 campaign with a 23-17 win over the Jets in London on Sunday as New York quarterback Aaron Rodgers struggled.
The Vikings frustrated the Jets early, taking a 17-7 lead in the first half, but New York settled in and found its rhythm after an Allen Lazard TD reception in the second quarter and a Garrett Wilson scoring catch in the fourth. The Jets had an opportunity for a game-winning drive in the final three minutes, but weren’t able to close it out as Rodgers threw an interception to effectively end the game.
He also threw two interceptions in the first quarter, marking the first time he’d ever thrown two first-quarter INTs in his career, per ESPN Research.
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Vikings defense crucial in win
If it weren’t for Brian Flores’ Vikings defense, 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 dropped from the line of scrimmage, plucked a Rodgers pass from the air, snatched the ball and raced the other way, stiff-arming a defender en route to a touchdown. On the next possession, Rodgers sailed an over-the-middle pass, and Vikings safety Cam Bynum snagged it.
The Vikings’ defense was not perfect. Rodgers found more of a rhythm in the second half. But the Vikings limited New York’s run 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 Rodgers interception. — Alec Lewis, Vikings beat writer
Minnesota’s offense struggles 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 profoundly affected the Vikings’ offense. The team scored two field goals in the second half, but everything about Minnesota’s offense appeared disjointed. There were pre-snap penalties and post-snap penalties. Backup running back Ty Chandler could not find room to work on the ground, amassing 30 yards on 14 carries.
The offense line was more leaky on pass-specific downs than it had been in the first four weeks of the season. And the lack of time, paired with the rainy conditions and the Jets defense, had quarterback Sam Darnold looking as inconsistent and out of rhythm as he had all season. — Lewis
Jets blow comeback chance as Rodgers struggles
It felt like the Jets were going to win for a moment because of Rodgers, who turned things on in the fourth quarter and nearly led the Jets to a comeback. Instead, it could be argued they lost because of him. Rodgers threw three interceptions — his last one on the Jets’ last offensive play of the game, near the end zone, on a pass where wide receiver Mike Williams never turned his head.
The first two were much worse — a pick-six in the first quarter and another bad interception thrown 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 abilities that he used to. — Zack Rosenblatt, Jets beat writer
New York’s wasted defensive day
The Jets ultimately wasted a stellar defensive performance, the unit making Darnold look like the version of Darnold that used to play for the Jets.
The defense, and the defense alone, is what kept the Jets in the game. Darnold was 14-of-31 passing for 179 yards and an interception, the pick coming in the fourth quarter on a bad pass but an impressive pick from cornerback Brandin Echols. The Jets had four sacks and Minnesota only converted 4 of 13 third downs, but ultimately it wasn’t enough with the Jets’ offense struggling for most of the day. — Rosenblatt
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(Photo: Mario Hommes / DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
