Vikings 23-17 Jets (Oct. 6, 2024) Game Recap

LONDON – Andrew Van Ginkel returned the first of three Aaron Rodgers interceptions 63 yards for a touchdown and Minnesota remained undefeated by securing a 23-17 win over the New York Jets at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday.

The Jets trailed 17-0 early but had a chance to score a potential game-winner in the final minutes. But Stephon Gilmore intercepted Rodgers' pass intended for Mike Williams and the Vikings improved to 5-0 for the first time since 2016.

Van Ginkel snagged Rodgers' quick cross, then deflected a tackle and outran the Jets' linemen down the sideline for a 63-yard score and a 10-0 lead. The linebacker also had a pick-6 in the season opener against Daniel Jones and the New York Giants.

Rodgers threw a 1-yard touchdown pass to Garrett Wilson to make it 20-17 with just under six minutes left before Vikings rookie kicker Will Reichard hit a 41-yard field goal, his third of the game.

A slow start ultimately doomed the Jets (2-3).

Fullback CJ Ham's 2-yard run made it 17-0 before the Jets got back into the game when Rodgers found Allen Lazard for a 14-yard touchdown pass late in the first half.

Rodgers clutched his left leg after a big hit in the third quarter. But after a rough punter call, Rodgers immediately went back on the field and drove the Jets to the Minnesota 14. They settled for Greg Zuerlein's 32-yard field goal to make it 17:10.

Rodgers threw two interceptions in the first quarter and three in the game. It was the first time in Rodgers' career that he threw two interceptions in the first quarter.

The Jets' offense struggled so badly in a 10-9 loss to Denver last week that Rodgers and coach Robert Saleh spent much of last week saying their relationship was solid.

Reichard hit a 53-yard field goal to give Minnesota a 20-10 lead early in the fourth quarter. He also had a 54-yarder and has never missed a pass this season.

Sam Darnold, who was drafted No. 3 overall by the Jets in 2018, finished 14 of 31 for 179 yards with an interception and a fumble. Justin Jefferson had six receptions for 92 yards for the Vikings.

Rodgers was 29 of 54 for 244 yards, two touchdown passes and three interceptions.

The Vikings started the 2009 season 6-0, in Brett Favre's first year with the team.

The Jets also fell to 17-0 in their last game in London, losing to the Atlanta Falcons in 2021.

Rodgers' milestone

Rodgers became the ninth player in NFL history to throw for 60,000 yards in regular-season games with a 7-yard pass to Tyler Conklin in the third quarter. He also surpassed Hall of Famer Dan Marino and ranked seventh on the NFL list for total yards passing in both regular season and playoff games.

Rodgers now has 60,148 yards in regular-season games.

Injuries

Jets: CB Sauce Gardner was evaluated for a head injury in the third quarter after colliding with a teammate of LB Quincy Williams, but returned late in the game…CB Michael Carter II left in the first quarter with a hamstring injury and did so not returning…LB CJ Mosley (toe) was inactive after being limited in practice this week.

Vikings: RB Aaron Jones left in the second quarter with a hip problem and was later ruled out. … Darnold left for a play after taking a hit to the midsection in the first quarter. Nick Mullens completed a pass for a first down. Darnold came back and fumbled on the next play.

Next

Jets: Host the Buffalo Bills next Monday night.

Vikings: Bye week before hosting the Detroit Lions on Sunday, October 20th.

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