LONDON – The Vikings were in control for most of the first half, but a field position flip put the Jets in it just before halftime: Jay Ward’s block in the back on a punt return meant the Vikings started their drive from their own 4 , putting them in a dangerous position for Xavier Gipson’s kick return before half-time.

The short field set the Jets up for a vintage Aaron Rodgers throw, stepping into the pocket to find Allen Lazard for the TD. The Vikings get the kickoff for the second half, but after two quarters, things are a little closer than it seemed.

The other thing to keep an eye on for the Vikings is the health of running back Aaron Jones, who left with a right hip injury and was on the sideline with a wrap around his leg. Ty Chandler and Myles Gaskin have done most of the work in his place, and CJ Ham scored on his short handoff, but as important as Jones has been to the Vikings – and as much as he has struggled with injuries in his career – it’s worth it to see how the Vikings handle him here. They might decide to be careful with him and let him rest ahead of their bye week. We’ll see what they do when they start with the ball in the second half.

Throughout the first half, the Vikings outscored the Jets 155-99. New York has just four first downs, and Harrison Smith became the seventh player in NFL history with 35 interceptions and 20 sacks after taking down Rodgers with a zero blitz (which he celebrated by recreating the championship belt move that made Rodgers millions at State Farm commercials). The Jets only held the ball for 11:47 in the first half.

Vikings defensive end Jared Allen, who was inducted into the team’s Ring of Honor last year, blew the Gjallarhorn before the game and was honored at halftime as part of the NFL’s first-ever London Ring of Honor ceremony. Allen had 2 ½ sacks in the Vikings’ win over the Steelers at Wembley Stadium in 2013. – BEN GOESSLING

Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers is 40 years old, but he can still show flashes of his NFL MVP-caliber form. Rodgers came alive just before halftime, capitalizing on a 30-yard punt return with a 14-yard touchdown throw to Jets receiver Allen Lazard. Facing a third-and-10 play in the red zone, Rodgers escaped the Vikings’ pass rush, climbed into the pocket and threw a dart to Lazard in the back of the end zone. That pass ultimately put the Jets on the board, making it a 17-7 lead for the Vikings. It is the second week in a row in which a special team blunder led to an opponent’s goal just before halftime. Last week, receiver Jalen Nailor botched a punt return, leading to a Packers recovery near the Vikings’ end zone. This week, Jets punt returner Xavier Gipson avoided Vikings gunners Akayleb Evans and Jay Ward before escaping for 30 yards. —ANDREW KRAMMER