Sep 29, 2024; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) gestures to fans while leaving the field following the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images.
The Minnesota Vikings (4-0) and New York Jets (2-2) are set to face off this Sunday in London.
Minnesota is off to a very surprising start, especially since this was expected to be the toughest part of their schedule. How many of their biggest optimists predicted a 4-0 start? Probably not many of them. Last week, they won 31-29 on the road against the Green Bay Packers. They held on after a 28-0 lead. A win is still a win, though. New York lost 10-9 at home against the Denver Broncos.
New York leads the all-time series 8-4 but is on a three-game losing streak against them.
These teams last faced each other in 2022 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Kirk Cousins went 21/35 for 173 yards and a touchdown. Dalvin Cook rushed for 86 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries. Justin Jefferson caught seven passes for 45 yards and a touchdown.
On defense, Eric Kendricks had a game-high 13 tackles. Harrison Smith and Camryn Bynum each recorded an interception. Minnesota won 27-22. Bynum’s interception sealed the win.
“It feels like any other play,” Bynum said. “I know pressure’s on us. We’re in the red zone, fourth down, one play to lose the game or win the game, but to us, that’s normal football.”
For New York, Mike White went 31/57 for 369 yards and two interceptions. Zonovan Knight rushed for 90 yards on 15 carries. Garrett Wilson caught eight passes for 162 yards. Corey Davis caught five passes for 85 yards.
On defense, Jordan Whitehead had a team-high 11 tackles.
With the win, Minnesota improved to 10-2 on the season. They finished the regular season at 13-4 and won the NFC North. With the loss, New York fell to 7-5. They finished at 7-10 and missed the playoffs for the 12th straight season.
They will face former longtime rival Aaron Rodgers. True, he is not the same quarterback he was for many years, but he can still play, no doubt. Seeing the former Packer face his old rivals again will be one of the best things about this matchup.
Minnesota has a great chance to win this game and improve to 5-0 on the season. Both the offense and defense have performed better than expected. While you cannot expect them to win every single game the rest of the regular season, it would still be kind of a disappointment if they did not win this game, given that they currently have a better team than New York.
New York’s defense is very good, though. They have allowed 13 points in the past two games. Minnesota may not score 30 points or more for the third straight week, but they should score enough to win comfortably.
Prediction: Vikings win 24-13
MIN-NYJ 2022 Highlights here.