The Minnesota Vikings continued their winning streak with a 23-17 victory against the new york jets vs minnesota vikings match player stats in London. It was close until Brandin Echols intercepted Aaron Rodgers on third down with less than two minutes remaining in the fourth.This game showcased a battle between two teams with superior run defense, making this matchup obvious from start to finish. Let’s use PFF data to identify key performers on both sides.
Offense
The New York Jets and Minnesota Vikings kicked off Week 5 of NFL action at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London early morning with an early morning matchup, providing all of the matchups and player statistics you’ll need for today’s match. Here is all you need to know prior to watching it live!
New York’s offensive line has been absolutely inept this season, ranking 25th in pass-block win percentage and permitting the fourth-highest sack rate according to Pro Football Focus. And with Bryce Huff’s departure coupled with Haason Reddick leaving early and Jermaine Johnson experiencing injury problems in 2016, the unit looks disjointed.
Minnesota’s offense has been phenomenal this season. They rank second in points per game and quarterback Sam Darnold has produced MVP-caliber numbers by completing 72 percent of his passes for 2,005 yards and six touchdowns in only four games!
Darnold has been able to succeed thanks to the exceptional play of his supporting cast, particularly on the offensive line. Minnesota Vikings right tackle Brian O’Neill has been stellar, allowing just two pressures in 21 pass-blocking snaps while earning a 95.3 PFF run-blocking grade; Alijah Vera-Tucker, too, has contributed greatly in helping the Vikings rank fifth overall for run-blocking efficiency.
Minnesota’s defense may not have been as impressive this year, but they still did an outstanding job of keeping their opponent at bay. Their blitz rate may have been below average but their ability to create pressure consistently has made them one of the league’s premier pass defense units.
After an uneven start, the Vikings rallied with an Allen Lazard touchdown catch of 14 yards to turn around their performance in the second quarter. On the final play of the third quarter CB Stephon Gilmore intercepted an Aaron Rodgers pass intended for TE Mike Williams and gave the Vikings control for a 23-17 victory.
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Defense
Vikings defense allowed only one rushing touchdown in the first half, and Andrew Van Ginkel’s pick-six in the second quarter gave them a 17-0 advantage. Garrett Wilson managed to bring one score back for New York Jets during third-quarter scoring but Vikings held on for victory and improved to 5-0 on their record.
In the second half, Minnesota Vikings linebacker Byron Murphy again came up big to keep its opponent at bay as Sam Darnold tried to throw into an end zone where Vikings cornerback Xavier Gipson appeared poised to receive it. Furthermore, Minnesota’s defense managed to limit offensive explosion to only one 61-yard punt return by Gipson during the third quarter.
The Jets secondary may not be among the best in the league, but it has proven effective enough to prevent opposing teams from getting comfortable on offense. They have allowed just one rushing touchdown this season — an unprecedented record in NFL.
However, their defensive passing grade remains disappointing. Their pass rushers have failed to generate pressure effectively this season due to having one of the lowest blitz rates in the NFL this year.
Not to say the team has not attempted to address this issue; several trades have been completed to add more pass rush help; however, recent acquisition Haason Reddick has fallen short of expectations.
While it’s early, this could be the year in which the Jets finally get their pass rush going.
As for their offensive play, the Vikings remain dominant at the point of scrimmage, led by right tackle Brian O’Neill’s top PFF grade this year and guards Alijah Vera-Tucker and Byron Murphy Jr. receiving high PFF marks as well.
Special Teams
Special teams don’t often receive the recognition they deserve. While their contributions may be subtle and hard to perceive given the way we consume football, special teams play just as important a role – their performance could make or break a game!
Special teams were the lifeline of the Jets once again as Xavier Gipson scored on his 30-yard punt return for a touchdown late in the second quarter to give them a 17-7 advantage and help avoid going into halftime trailing by two scores.
Third quarter was the first of this season in which New York failed to score, as Aaron Rodgers led Minnesota on a 13-play, 83-yard drive that concluded with Greg Zuerlein kicking a 32-yard field goal. Fourth quarter became more of a defensive battle; Stephon Gilmore picked off Sam Darnold on his initial pass of fourth period while Quincy Williams picked off Vikings RB Corey Ham for a pick-six return by New York defense.
Though the Vikings allowed one rushing touchdown, their run defense was hard to fault. Their line only allowed one player to rush for over 100 yards during this season and their advanced and basic statistics ranked them among the top-five run defense units this season.
The Jets’ front seven was very effective in this game, consistently applying pressure to Aaron Rodgers and forcing him into mistakes. Additionally, New York has the second-best pass coverage unit according to PFF. Unfortunately for New York however, their offensive line needs some work; currently ranking 25th in ESPN’s pass-block win rate they must improve before facing Minnesota’s powerful pass rush in Week 10.
Kicker
The Jets have had difficulty in their kicking game this season. Nick Mullens, their primary kicker, has yet to earn a top-10 finish from two starts this year and currently serves as their backup against the Chargers next week. Meanwhile, Wil Lutz of the Vikings earned top-10 fantasy performance against Raiders last week but will face an uphill task against Chargers who have held kickers to under six fantasy points three of five times so far this season.
Reichard started off the scoring for Minnesota in the first quarter with a 54-yard field goal from Minnesota’s starting position of 54 yards, but New York responded in the second with C.J. Ham rushing for 2-yard touchdown RB CJ Ham rushed 2-yard touchdown RB Rodgers then threw his first pick-six of the day that Vikings linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel returned 63 yards for an interception return touchdown, giving Minnesota an 18-7 advantage.
Rodgers struggled during this game with inaccuracy and turnovers, ending his first quarter with a PFF grade of 28.2; two interceptions dropped his grade by more than a point; however, two Vikings defenders intercepting him received high PFF grades and were respectively the top and second highest-graded defenders over 15 minutes.
On the other side, New York Jets defense stepped up in the second quarter, forcing two turnovers in the final six minutes of the half to take control of the game and take back momentum. Unfortunately for them though, these turnovers only resulted in one touchdown as New York was held scoreless in the second half and suffered an eventual 23-17 defeat against Buffalo Bills on Oct 11 2023. This loss marked their first post-leading by 10 or more points loss since this loss on Oct 11, 2023 against Miami Dolphins.
Conclusion
The Minnesota Vikings’ 23-17 victory against the new york jets vs minnesota vikings match player stats in London showcased their resilience and strong team dynamics. The game highlighted the Vikings’ offensive dominance led by quarterback Sam Darnold and their exceptional run-blocking efficiency. Despite the Jets’ defensive efforts, including turnovers and a standout punt return, the Vikings maintained control through key interceptions and consistent performance from their offensive line. This win adds to Minnesota’s impressive season record and solidifies their status as a formidable team in the league.
FAQs
1: What were the key takeaways from the Vikings vs. Jets game?
The Vikings’ offense, led by Sam Darnold, was outstanding, with the team ranking second in points per game.
Minnesota’s defense played a crucial role, limiting the Jets’ offense and securing vital interceptions.
Special teams provided pivotal moments, with both teams leveraging field position effectively.
2:How did the Jets perform in this game?
The Jets struggled with their offensive line, which ranked low in pass-block win percentage. While their defense forced turnovers, they failed to capitalize on scoring opportunities, especially in the second half.
3:Who were the standout players in the game?
For the Vikings: Sam Darnold, Brian O’Neill, and Andrew Van Ginkel played critical roles.
For the Jets: Garrett Wilson and Xavier Gipson had notable contributions, with Gipson scoring on a punt return.
4:What does this win mean for the Vikings’ season?
This victory improves the Vikings’ record to 5-0, reinforcing their playoff aspirations and highlighting their ability to perform in tight games.
5:What are the areas of improvement for both teams?
Vikings: While their defense was solid, they could improve their blitz rate to enhance pressure.
Jets: The offensive line needs significant improvement to protect their quarterback and sustain drives.
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