Jets lose to Vikings in London, fall to 2-3 after comeback falls short
Aaron Rodgers throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on Oct. 6, 2024 at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium in London. Credit: AP Photo/Ian Walton
LONDON — Aaron Rodgers had the football in the final minute with a chance to lead the Jets to an improbable comeback victory. He gave it away.
Rodgers was picked off by Stephon Gilmore at the Vikings’ 9-yard line with 44 seconds left and the Jets lost, 23-17, Sunday at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
It was Rodgers’ third interception of the game, including a pick-6. He finished 29-for-54 for 244 yards and two touchdown passes. Rodgers also reached a milestone, becoming the ninth player in NFL history to throw for more than 60,000 yards.
The 40-year-old quarterback overcame a knee injury to finish the game, but he wasn’t sharp overall. His last pass was intended for Mike Williams, who wasn’t looking for the football, and Gilmore made the game-deciding play. The Jets lost for the second straight time and fell to 2-3.
Garrett Wilson had his best game of the season. He caught 13 passes for 101 yards and a touchdown. Allen Lazard had a touchdown catch. Breece Hall was quiet again. He rushed nine times for 23 yards.
Ex-Jet Sam Darnold was 14-for-31 for 179 yards, no touchdowns and an interception. Justin Jefferson caught six passes for 92 yards to lead the undefeated Vikings (5-0).
Rodgers gave the Jets a scare after being crunched while delivering the ball on third down in the third quarter. His leg bent back underneath him. He stayed down clutching the back of his left leg.
Rodgers, who was dealing with knee soreness and swelling this week, limped off and was headed to the medical tent. The Jets got a first down on a roughing the kicker penalty. Rodgers put his helmet on and jogged back on the field and led them on a field-goal drive.
The Jets were fortunate to only be down 17-7 at the half. They didn’t get a first down until their fifth series. Two of their first four possessions ended with a turnover. Rodgers threw a pick-6 on the Jets’ third offensive series.
They cut it to 17-10 on Greg Zuerlein's 32-yard field goal with 50 seconds left in the third quarter. Rodgers wasn’t moving well, but he led the Jets into the red zone. The drive stalled at the Vikings’ 14. On third down, Rodgers threw to Lazard in the end zone, but he dropped it.
It became a two-score game again early in the fourth quarter on Will Reichard’s 53-yard field goal with 12:07 remaining.
The Jets closed to 20-17 on a 1-yard touchdown catch by Wilson with 6:04 left. The Vikings were flagged for pass interference in the end zone on Wilson on the previous play. The drive was set up by Brandin Echols’ interception at the Minnesota 42.
The Vikings drove to the Jets' 23, but the defense came up with a big third-down stop. Chuck Clark broke up a pass to Jefferson. Reichart made it 23-17 with a 41-yard field goal with 3:07 to go.
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
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