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

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

“He also said to me, 'Christmas came early for me,'” said the humble Van Ginkel. “I just said 'thank you' to him.”

Minnesota picked up two more gifts – interceptions – from Rodgers and remained undefeated, securing a 23-17 win over the New York Jets at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday.

Although the Jets were down 17-0 at the start, they 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.

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

At some point in the second half, he said, “I was kind of getting 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 under six minutes left before Vikings rookie kicker Will Reichard hit a 41-yard field goal, his third of the game. Wilson finished his career with 13 catches for 101 yards.

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.

“They tried to take me to the (medical) tent… I said, 'Fuck it, I'm getting back out there,'” he said, describing the injury as a lower 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. “Three ball losses are definitely out of character for me and I’m disappointed.”

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.

“We definitely left yards and points out there,” 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 starting 5-0 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 were achieved in London. The New York Giants, who won the first game in London in 2007, can achieve that perfect record next month when they face the Carolina Panthers in Munich.

The Jets also fell 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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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl