3 takeaways from Jets-Vikings game in London as Aaron Rodgers' struggles continue
The first London game of the 2024 NFL season is in the books.
In a matchup of two teams heading in opposite directions, the Minnesota Vikings improved to 5-0 with a 23-17 victory over the 2-3 New York Jets .
Minnesota jumped out to a 17-0 lead in the first half before a late New York touchdown cut the lead to 10 at the break. The Jets' defense stepped up in the second half, and the offense had a chance on the final drive to win it before Aaron Rodgers threw his third interception of the day.
Here are three takeaways from Sunday's game:
Head coach Kevin O'Connell and defensive coordinator Brian Flores are pitching a perfect game in 2024.
The Vikings' coaching duo has the team clicking on both sides of the ball. In London, it was the defense that stepped up to the challenge.
Flores' unit totaled three sacks, three interceptions (one touchdown), 11 QB hits and nine passes defended. Undrafted second-year linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. is emerging as a legitimate star, and veterans Stephon Gilmore and Harrison Smith are holding it down in the secondary.
O'Connell's group had its first real signs of struggle in Week 5. Sam Darnold went just 14 of 31 for 179 yards and an interception, and the team averaged just 2.7 yards per carry. Running back Aaron Jones' injury obviously didn't help, but it's something to monitor as Minnesota enters its bye week.
It's hard to think of many offensive-defensive coaching duos in the league that you would take over O'Connell and Flores right now.
How much would adding Davante Adams actually impact the Jets in 2024? Honestly, it might not be as significant as you think.
Adams would undoubtedly be a familiar face for Rodgers, who often gravitates toward the veterans he knows (looking at you, Allen Lazard). But he wouldn't improve the pass protection. He wouldn't make Rodgers more mobile. He wouldn't improve the running game. And he certainly wouldn't impact the coaching.
While it's intriguing to chase after a star weapon, his ultimate impact as a mid-season pickup likely wouldn't be season-saving.
