On Sunday, London became a football town, with Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets having a chance at a game-winning drive against the Minnesota Vikings at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
But Stephon Gilmore intercepted Rodgers with the Jets in the red zone and the Vikings held on for a 23-17 win and move to 5-0.
It was a mixed performance for the Vikings, who started the game strong but could not keep things going on offense in the second quarter. Rodgers, meanwhile, had a rough start but gained more steam as the game went on, rallying the Jets to within one score in the fourth quarter before throwing the late pick.
The Vikings offense struck first with a field goal in the first quarter, and Minnesota defense was able to shut down the Jets from the jump. Rodgers threw two costly interceptions in the first quarter, starting with a pick-six from Vikings linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel.
On the next drive, Rodgers threw another interception, with his throw picked off by Minnesota safety Cam Bynum. The Jets offense did not earn a first down until five minutes into the second quarter.
The Vikings, meanwhile, were able to keep driving on offense, getting great field position with the help of some Jets penalties. Minnesota scored another touchdown with four minutes left in the half, with C.J. Ham rushing two yards for the score.
With less than two minutes before halftime, Jets wide receiver Xavier Gipson had a stellar 30-yard punt return to give New York good field position for one final possession. Rodgers was nearly sacked, but was able to get off the throw to Allen Lazard for a touchdown, cutting the lead to 17-7.
The third quarter was slow offensively, as the Jets defense was able to get some big stops on Minnesota. The Jets struck again with a field goal in the final minutes of the third quarter, with Rodgers continuing the drive despite getting his leg bent awkwardly beneath him.
The Vikings kicked another field goal in the fourth quarter to bring the score to 20-10. But Sam Darnold threw an interception to give the Jets a chance for a momentum change.
The Jets were able to convert that into another touchdown, with Rodgers throwing to Garrett Wilson to get New York within three points.
On the next drive, Minnesota had to settle for a field goal after the Jets defense kept them out of the end zone, extending the lead to 23-17.
It came down to one final drive for the Jets, who had more than two minutes to tie the game with a touchdown. But Gilmore had another idea, handing Rodgers his third interception with a massive, game-sealing pick.
The Vikings will return from Europe triumphant, improving to 5-0 and starting the season on an especially strong note. But there are still some questions that need to be answered on offense. Darnold, who has been Minnesota’s unexpected savior after JJ McCarthy’s season-ending surgery, was 14-for-31, throwing for 179 yards and no touchdowns.
The Minnesota offense as a whole struggled with first downs in the second half, and was fortunate that the defense was able to save the win. The Vikings will need to improve their offensive production if they hope to stay undefeated.
New York, meanwhile, falls to 2-3, with the team raising questions of its own as the season goes on.
