The Vikings closely beat the New York Jets in Week 5 in London at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The game was a nail-biter, as the Vikings barely won 23-17 to the delight of many nearby fans who had come to enjoy American football.
The Vikings’ offense played poorly against the Jets. The Vikings scored 10 points in the first half and only 6 points in the second half. They looked rather sloppy. The same way they played last week against the Green Bay Packers in the second half, but the Jets are known to have one of the best defenses in the league.
“Sometimes in this league you’re going to feel a little sloppy at times, ” Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell said, “Sometimes in this league, adversity is going to hit, not one time did I feel anyone on our football team truly we’re going to come in one and 0 today with our fifth win but it’s hard sometimes you gotta lean in all right when it’s a sloppy game points ain’t ringing up for offense all day.”
A key player for the Vikings Offense was wide receiver Justin Jefferson. He had 6 receptions for 92 yards. And made the Jets get five pass interference calls, as the Jets were playing aggressively against Justin Jefferson.
“He’s an extreme challenge,” Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner told reporters after the Jets’ Friday practice in London, “He’s widely known as the No. 1 receiver by a lot of people. Rightfully so. The things that he puts on tape, he’s quick, shifty, a great route runner, great hands. Everything about him is great.”
The Vikings’ defense played well against the Jets’ offense. They only allowed 17 points, most due to the Vikings’ offensive mistakes that turnover the ball to the Jets side. They also scored a pick-six against Jets quarterback Aaron Rogers and won the game for the Vikings by stopping the Jets from making a touchdown due to Stephon Gilmore getting the interception on the Jets winning drive. They also picked up three interceptions thrown by Rogers. In addition, they played well against the Jets’ running game, only allowing 36 rushing yards.
“We didn’t run the ball well enough yesterday and we dropped back to pass way too often. When you’re sitting in longer situations and teams can tee off on you, it just stockpiles in on yourself,” former Jets head coach Robert Saleh said on Monday he was fired on Tuesday, “I don’t want to sit and say the O-line is just not playing well enough, we’re not being efficient enough to put ourselves in a position to play football. We’re having to play catch up and against two really good defenses that pressure the quarterback at a high level and we basically fell into the teeth of their defense.”
Unfortunately for the Vikings, running back Aaron Jones suffered a hip injury during the game. He is supposed to recover from it, however, in time for the Vikings’ next game.
This was one of three NFL games happening in London this season and one of 5 NFL games happening in foreign countries. Vikings fans will now be able to enjoy their bye week with a 5-0 record and will play the Detroit Lions the following week in Week 7.
