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The New York Jets Comes Up A Little Short Against The Vikings 23-17

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Courtesy Of The Minnesota Vikings Communications

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

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

Minnesota took two more gifts — interceptions — off Rodgers and stayed undefeated by holding on for a 23-17 win over the New York Jets at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday.

Despite trailing 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 caught Rodgers’ quick slant before breaking a tackle and outrunning 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 the New York Giants as well.

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

At some point in the second half, he said, “I kind of got close to him and he just made that comment to me.”

Rodgers threw a 1-yard touchdown pass to Garret 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 in the game when Rodgers found Allen Lazard for a 14-yard touchdown pass late in the first half.

Courtesy Of The Minnesota Vikings Communications

Rodgers clutched his left leg after a big hit in the third quarter. But after a roughing the punter call, Rodgers immediately went back onto the field and drove the Jets to the Minnesota 14. They settled for 32-yard field goal to make it 17-10.

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

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

“In a game where you lose by six, plays like that are exponentially highlighted,” he said. “Three turnovers for me is definitely 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 spent much of this past week saying that 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 by the Jets No. 3 overall in 2018, finished 14 of 31 for 179 yards with an interception and one fumble. Wide out Justin Jefferson had six receptions for 92 yards for the Vikings.

“We definitely left yards, 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 the 5-0 start in 2016, the Vikings finished 8-8 and missed the playoffs.

Rodgers’ Milestone

Rodgers became the ninth player in NFL history to throw for 60,000 yards in regular-season games 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’s list for total yards passing in both regular-season and playoff games.

Up Next:

Jets: Plays the Buffalo Bills next Monday night at home.

Vikings: Bye week before hosting the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Oct. 20.