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

By Zack Rosenblatt, Alec Lewis and Alex Andreyev

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

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

He also threw two interceptions in the first quarter, which marked the first time he has ever thrown two INTs in the first quarter in his career, according to ESPN Research.

Rodgers said after the game that he was “absolutely beat up” and that he suffered a low ankle sprain in the loss.

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Vikings defense crucial to victory

Without 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 out of the air, snatched the ball and ran the other way, stiff-arming a defender on his way to a touchdown. On the next possession, Rodgers sailed an over-the-middle pass, and Vikings safety Cam Bynum grabbed it.

The Vikings defense wasn’t perfect. Rodgers found more 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 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, collecting 30 yards on 14 carries.

The offensive line was more leaky on pass-specific downs than it was in the first four weeks of the season. And the lack of time, combined with the rainy conditions and the Jets’ defense, made quarterback Sam Darnold look as inconsistent and out of rhythm as he has all season. — Lewis

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Jets offer a chance for a comeback while Rodgers struggles

It felt like the Jets would win for a moment because of Rodgers, who turned things around in the fourth quarter and nearly led the Jets to a comeback. Instead, you could say they lost because of him. Rodgers threw three interceptions — his last on the Jets’ final offensive play, near the end zone, on a pass that 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 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 the same physical abilities he used to. — Zack Rosenblatt, Jets beat writer

Aaron Rodgers: “That was below my level.”

He said he under-threw Mike Williams on the last interception.

— Zack Rosenblatt (@ZackBlatt) October 6, 2024

New York’s wasted defensive day

The Jets ultimately squandered a great defensive performance, making Darnold look like the version of Darnold who used to play for the Jets.

The defense, and the defense alone, 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 by cornerback Brandin Echols. The Jets had four sacks and Minnesota converted only four of thirteen third downs, but ultimately it wasn’t enough as the Jets offense struggled for most of the day. — Rosenblatt

Required reading

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