The Minnesota Vikings are still undefeated after a 23-17 win over the New York Jets in London.
Quarterback Sam Darnold threw for 179 yards Sunday against the team that drafted him first overall in 2018, but he was buoyed by a stellar performance from the Vikings defense.
Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers threw for 244 yards and two scores, but he was inefficient, completing only 29 of 54 attempts. He also threw three interceptions, two of which proved to be incredibly costly.
Rodgers’ first interception was the play of the game. With Minnesota already leading 3-0, linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel picked off Rodgers and returned the pass 63 yards for a touchdown. The pick-six came only a few plays after a Darnold fumble gave New York the ball in Vikings territory.
Minnesota added one more touchdown to take a 17-0 lead in the second quarter before the Jets began to mount a comeback.
Rodgers led a short, five-play, 31-yard drive in the final minute of the first half for a New York touchdown. The Jets also added a field goal in the third to get within seven points.
Darnold struggled in the second half, at one point going nine straight attempts without a completion.
In the fourth quarter, the Vikings sandwiched two field goals around a Garrett Wilson touchdown catch for New York. That set up a game-winning drive opportunity for Rodgers, who got the ball trailing by six with three minutes and seven seconds to go.
But after having led the Jets into Minnesota territory, Rodgers threw his third interception, ensuring a loss for New York.
It was Darnold’s worst performance of the season, but it was still good enough for the win. It was the first game all year in which Darnold didn’t throw a touchdown, after he threw no fewer than two in Weeks 1-4. He also threw 17 incomplete passes after having thrown only 19 in the last two weeks combined.
Minnesota’s defense bailed out its quarterback, however. The Vikings held the Jets to only 3.6 yards per play. Rodgers was also sacked three times in addition to the trio of interceptions.
The Jets fell to 2-3. The Vikings are 5-0 and have a bye in Week 6.