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What we learned from Sunday’s games
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What we learned from Sunday’s games

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Jeremy Bergman’s conclusions:

  1. Rodgers rallies Jets, but falls just short. Aaron Rodgers and the jet-lagged Jets seemed lost in London for most of Sunday’s activities. Rodgers looked like the worn-out 40-year-old that he is and was a step slow early on at Tottenham’s ground against a familiar opponent in Minnesota. He threw two picks in the first half – one terrible finish on a short cross that led to a Andreas Van Ginkel pick-six and the other a lazy overthrow of his favorite target, Allen Lazarddownfield. The QB looked down for the count after getting under a slew of Vikings defenders in the third quarter — he was checked out into the injury tent — but bravely returned and oversaw a comeback attempt. Rodgers leaned on his much-dissected connection to Garrett Wilsonwho ran through New York with 101 yards on 13 catches and 22 (!) targets. Their touchdown connection with six minutes left in the game cut Minnesota’s once 17-point lead to three. After holding the Vikings to a field goal, Rodgers led New York just outside Minnesota’s red zone with under a minute left. But that’s where Gang Green left off. Rodgers launched two incompletions before testing Mike Williams in return for Stephen Gilmore along the right sideline. Williams didn’t see the veteran QB’s back-shoulder pass coming, but Gilmore did, securing Rodgers’ third interception of the afternoon and sending New York back across the Atlantic with a third loss. Do Davante Adams waiting for them on their return?
  2. Has Minnesota’s magic run out? The Vikings improved to 5-0 after Sunday’s nail-biting win over the Jets, but it was their toughest game of the season so far. An MVP candidate for four weeks, Sam Darnold was harassed and harassed against his former team, completing just 14 of 31 passes for 179 yards and recording four sacks, including one right in the ribs. Darnold then returned Nick Mullens came in once, but wasn’t the same after the knock. Was also smashed Aaron Joneswho left the game in the first quarter with a hip injury and never returned. Ty Chandler, Myles Gaskin and CJ Ham didn’t have nearly the same burst. The Vikings offense reached the end zone just once against New York after scoring eight times in the previous two weeks. Luckily for Minnesota, Week 6 brings a goodbye and a time to reset and refuel. A win is a win, and no team will have more than Minnesota through Sunday.
  3. The Jets’ problems with fines persist. In New York’s sloppy loss to the Broncos in Week 4, the Jets were flagged thirteen times for 90 yards, with many of the penalties coming before the break. Gang Green didn’t have exactly the same problem abroad in Week 5, but continued to get in their own way. The task of having to shut down the best receiver in the league Justin JeffersonNew York was flagged five times in the battle against the gritty Griddier. Report interference, hold and illegal contact calls Sauce Garner And DJ Reed led to five Minnesota first downs and kept a number of scoring drives alive. Jefferson finished with 92 receiving yards, including 61 yards via penalty. On a day when the defense otherwise gave Minnesota fits, holding one of the league’s top offenses to 4 of 13 on third down and 3.8 yards per play, the Jets’ lack of discipline in the secondary extended possession for the Vikings out and put the team back. For a coaching staff in its fourth year, it is inexcusable that persistent penalties remain a recurring story.

Next-gen stat insight for Jets-Vikings (via NFL Pro): The Jets applied pressure on 15 of the Vikings’ 37 dropbacks (40.5%), with Sam Darnold being sacked four times. Eight different players provided at least one pressure for the Jets.

NFL Research: With the Jets at 2-3, this is the first time Aaron Rodgers has been below .500 in five starts since 2012 (finished 11-5, made playoffs with Packers).