Aaron Rodgers had a remark for Andrew Van Ginkel after the Vikings linebacker ran back an interception 63 yards for a touchdown. “He told me, too, ‘Christmas came early’ for me,” Van Ginkel said modestly. “I just told him ‘thank you.’”
Minnesota secured two more interceptions from Rodgers and maintained their perfect record with a 23-17 victory over the New York Jets at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday.
Although the Jets fell behind 17-0 early on, they had a chance to score a winning touchdown in the final minutes. However, Stephon Gilmore intercepted a pass from Rodgers meant for Mike Williams, allowing the Vikings to improve to 5-0 for the first time since 2016.
Van Ginkel caught a quick pass from Rodgers, broke a tackle, and sprinted down the sideline for a 63-yard touchdown, giving the Vikings a 10-0 lead. He also had a pick-6 in the season opener against Daniel Jones and the New York Giants.
“I couldn’t believe it happened,” said the sixth-year linebacker. “It’s something that I just read and caught the ball.”
At some point in the second half, he mentioned, “I kind of got close to him and he just made that comment to me.”
Rodgers threw a 1-yard touchdown pass to Garrett Wilson, bringing the score to 20-17 with just over six minutes left. Vikings rookie kicker Will Reichard then kicked a 41-yard field goal, his third of the game. Wilson ended with a career-high 13 catches for 101 yards.
A slow start ultimately cost the Jets (2-3). Fullback C.J. Ham’s 2-yard run made it 17-0, but the Jets got back in the game when Rodgers connected with Allen Lazard for a 14-yard touchdown pass late in the first half.
Rodgers grabbed his left leg after taking a hard hit in the third quarter. However, following a roughing the punter penalty, he quickly returned to the game and led the Jets to the Minnesota 14-yard line. They had to settle for a 32-yard field goal by Greg Zuerlein, bringing the score to 17-10.
“They were trying to get me in the (medical) tent … I said ‘Screw it, I’m going back out there,’” he explained, describing his injury as a low ankle sprain.
Rodgers threw two interceptions in the first quarter, marking 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 had a tough time last week in a 10-9 loss to Denver, leading Rodgers and coach Robert Saleh to spend much of the week emphasizing that their relationship is strong.
Reichard kicked a 53-yard field goal to extend Minnesota’s lead to 20-10 early in the fourth quarter. He also made a 54-yarder and has not missed any kicks this season.
Sam Darnold, who was picked by the Jets as the No. 3 overall choice in 2018, completed 14 of 31 passes for 179 yards, with one interception and one fumble. Justin Jefferson had six catches for 92 yards for the Vikings.
“We definitely left yards and points out there,” Jefferson said. “We definitely need to fix some things.”
Rodgers finished with 29 completions out of 54 attempts for 244 yards, two touchdown passes, and three interceptions.
The Vikings kicked off the 2009 season with a 6-0 record during Brett Favre’s first year with the team. After starting 5-0 in 2016, the Vikings ended up with an 8-8 record and did not make the playoffs.
They are also the first team to achieve a 4-0 record in regular-season international games, with all four wins occurring in London. The New York Giants, who won the first London game in 2007, have the chance to match that perfect record next month when they play the Carolina Panthers in Munich, Germany.
The Jets also fell behind 17-0 the last time they played in London, losing to the Atlanta Falcons in 2021.
