Vikings hold off Jets in London to stay unbeaten
by AFP · The42THE UNBEATEN Minnesota Vikings, the surprise package of the NFL season, held on for a fifth straight win with a nail-biting 23-17 victory over the New York Jets at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday.
Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold, who was drafted by the Jets and then released after three seasons, was well-contained by the Jets defence but crucially Minnesota were able to stop Aaron Rodgers at the death.
Rodgers led a 10-play drive as New York searched for a touchdown to win the contest but on 3rd & 10, the Jets quarterback’s attempted pass to Mike Williams was picked off by Stephon Gilmore.
It didn’t look like it was a close contest after the Vikings had opened up a 17-0 lead in the second quarter after they followed up a field goal with a 63-yard interception return from Andrew Van Ginkel.
C.J. Ham then ran in from two yards but the Jets gave themselves some hope with Rodgers moving out of the pocket and finding Allen Lazard at the back of the end-zone to make it 17-7 at the half.
The Jets trailed 20-10 midway through the fourth quarter before Rodgers found Garrett Wilson with a one-yard pass and when the Vikings could only manage a field goal in response, the outcome was in Rodgers’ hands.
But the former Green Bay quarterback, who finished with 244 passing yards and two touchdowns, gave up his third interception of the game to leave the Jets on 2-3.
Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson, who had 92 yards on six receptions but was well handled by the Jets’ defence, said it had been a frustrating day for the offence.
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“It’s definitely a tough win. We’ve definitely got to give thanks to our defence today for giving us this win,” he said.
But he said the 5-0 team head into a bye-week in good shape and still with plenty to work on.
“It feels great. You know it feels great to be undefeated But there’s definitely a lot to improve on and to fix in this film room but it’s definitely good to get this,” he said.
The Washington Commanders moved to 4-1 on the season, for the first time since 2008, after a 34-13 win over the struggling Cleveland Browns (1-4).
Washington’s rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels threw a 41-yard touchdown to Dyami Brown just before half-time to send the Commanders in with a 24-3 lead.
Bryan Robinson Jr had two rushing touchdowns for the Commanders on what was another miserable day for Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson.
Watson left his coach Kevin Stefanski in disbelief after he walked off the field before a fourth down and goal, forcing the team to take a field goal.
Elsewhere Sunday, a final seconds 59-yard field goal from Kevin Fairbairn gave the Houston Texans a 23-20 win over the Buffalo Bills to move them to 4-1.
The Bills had trailed 20-3 early in the third but fought back to tie up the game before a disastrous final possession.
From close to his own end-zone quarterback Josh Allen, who had earlier received treatment for a head injury, threw three incomplete passes which led to a punt and then Texans took advantage with Fairbairn’s winning kick.
Joe Burrow threw five touchdowns and 392 passing yards but ended on the losing side as the Cincinnati Bengals fell to a 41-38 overtime loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson threw for 348 yards and four touchdowns while running back Derrick Henry continued his strong season with 92 yards rushing on 15 carries.
The Jacksonville Jaguars ensured their remains no team without a win this season after a thrilling 37-34 win over Joe Flacco and the Indianapolis Colts.
Super Bowl champions the Kansas City Chiefs, the only other unbeaten team besides the Vikings, face the New Orleans Saints on Monday.