Aaron Rodgers had a message for Andrew Van Ginkel after the Vikings linebacker returned an interception 63 yards for a touchdown.

“He also told me: ‘Christmas came early’ for me,” said the modest Van Ginkel. “I just told him ‘thank you’.”

Minnesota picked up two more gifts — interceptions — from Rodgers and remained undefeated in holding on to a 23-17 victory over the New York Jets at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday.

Despite falling behind 17-0 early, the Jets had a chance to drive for a potential winning score 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 collected Rodgers’ quick pass before breaking a tackle and outrunning the Jets linemen along 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.

“I couldn’t believe it happened,” the sixth-year linebacker said. “It’s something I just read and caught the ball.”

At one point in the second half he said, “I got a little close to him and he just made that comment to me.”

Rodgers threw a 1-yard touchdown pass to Garrett Wilson to make it 20-17 with just over six minutes remaining before Vikings rookie kicker Will Reichard hit a 41-yard field goal – his third of the game. Wilson finished with a career-high 13 catches for 101 yards.

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

Fullback C.J. 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 taking a big hit in the third quarter. But after a rough call from the gambler, 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.

“They tried to get me in the (medical) tent… I said, ‘Fuck it, I’m going back out there,’” he said, describing the injury as a low ankle sprain.

Rodgers threw two interceptions in the first quarter – a first for the four-time NFL MVP.

“In a game where you lose by six, plays like that are highlighted exponentially,” he said. “For me, three substitutions are absolutely out of character and I’m disappointed.”

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

Reichard kicked 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 yet to miss 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 one fumble. Justin Jefferson had six receptions for 92 yards for the Vikings.

“We definitely left yards behind, points out,” Jefferson said. “We definitely need to fix some things.”

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. After a 5-0 start in 2016, the Vikings finished 8-8 and missed the playoffs.

The Vikings are also the first team to go 4-0 in regular-season international play. All four victories have been achieved in London. The New York Giants, who won the first game in London in 2007, can tie that perfect record next month when they take on the Carolina Panthers in Munich, Germany.

The Jets also fell behind 17-0 the last time they played in London when they lost to the Atlanta Falcons in 2021.

Rodger’s milestone

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

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

Injuries

Jets: CB Sauce Gardner was evaluated for a head injury in the third quarter after a collision with teammate LB Quincy Williams, but returned late in the game… CB Michael Carter II left in the first quarter with a hamstring injury and did not return … 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 on one play after taking a hit in the gut in the first quarter. Nick Mullens completed a pass for a first down. Darnold returned and fumbled on the next play.

Next

Jets: Host the Buffalo Bills next Monday night.

Vikings: Bye week to host the Detroit Lions on Sunday, October 20.

NOTE: The original air date of the video for this article is October 3, 2024.