The New York Jets suffered a 23-17 loss to the Minnesota Vikings in London on Sunday. The offense struggled as they turned the ball over three times and allowed 11 quarterback hits. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers had a tough day, throwing two touchdowns and three interceptions, including a pick-six. The offensive line struggled to provide protection and the running game only managed 36 yards. Wide receiver Garret Wilson had a strong performance with 13 catches for 101 yards and one touchdown. Overall, the offense received a grade of D for their performance.
On the defensive side, the Jets started slow but played well against the high-powered Vikings offense. They only allowed two field goals in the second half and limited star receiver Justin Jefferson to just six catches for 92 yards. However, penalties were a major issue for the defense with Sauce Gardner and D.J. Reed both receiving multiple flags for physical play. Quarterback Sam Darnold had a mediocre performance, throwing for 179 yards and one interception. The defense received a grade of B for their efforts.
Special teams provided some positive moments for the Jets with Xavier Gipson’s 35-yard punt return setting up the team’s first score of the game. Kicker Greg Zuerlein redeemed himself with a made field goal after missing last week, and punter Thomas Morstead pinned two punts inside the 20-yard line. Special teams received a grade of B for their performance.
In terms of coaching, Robert Saleh’s team once again started slowly and struggled to get going in the first quarter. Offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett has yet to establish a consistent running game, with the Jets relying heavily on the passing game. The team had 14 rushes compared to 57 dropbacks, which is not a winning formula. Despite playing well for most of three quarters, the slow start put the Jets in a difficult position. The coaching staff received a grade of D for their performance.
Overall, the Jets’ loss to the Vikings highlighted several areas of concern on both sides of the ball. The offense struggled to protect Rodgers and establish the running game, while the defense faced issues with penalties despite limiting the Vikings’ offensive production. Special teams provided some positive moments, but coaching decisions and slow starts continue to plague the team. Moving forward, the Jets will need to make adjustments in order to improve their performance and secure more wins in the future.
