Aaron Rodgers’ late interception ends Jets’ comeback attempt against Vikings in London

Just like last week against the Denver Broncos, the New York Jets had another chance to win the game late in the fourth quarter.

And just like last week, Gang Green’s comeback attempt fell short.

Cornerback Stephon Gilmore’s interception on the nine-yard line helped the Vikings (5-0) defeat the Jets (2-3), 23-17, at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.

The Jets trailed, 17-0, early in the game, but down 23-17 with 3:07 remaining, they had one final chance to win the game. Aaron Rodgers and Garrett Wilson finally found chemistry after weeks of miscues and overthrown passes. The two hooked up on a couple of plays, which helped move the Jets’ offense into Vikings’ territory.

But on a third-and-10 play on the Vikings’ 26, Rodgers threw his third interception of the game, this time to Gilmore, which ended the game.

Minnesota improved to 5-0 for the first time since 2016.

“Credit Minnesota, they do a lot of different things,” Jets head coach Robert Saleh said. “The interception that was returned for a touchdown made it a lot worse.

“Felt like, from that point on, our offense got our feet underneath it and started moving the ball pretty well. But putting ourselves in that hole wasn’t good enough.”

Much like last week’s loss to the Broncos, the offense struggled for most of the day and only recorded one touchdown in the first half. Gang Green scored 10 points in the second half.

Rodgers completed 29-of-54 passes for 244 yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions. After the game, Rodgers told reporters, he has a low ankle sprain after he got caught up in a pile of Vikings defenders.

“Playing below our potential, too many mistakes,” Rodgers said. “I think until now, we only had two turnovers, which is good because you give yourself a chance.

“But we are slow starters, too many mental errors and too many mistakes and that’s hard to overcome. For me, I gotta take care of the football. You can’t turn the ball over three times and win in this league.”

Gang Green’s rushing attack was nonexistent after rushing for just 36 yards. Wilson led all Jets receivers with 13 catches for 101 yards and a touchdown.

The Jets’ defense contained an explosive Vikings defense, which came into the Week 5 matchup averaging 25.2 points per game. Minnesota quarterback and ex-Jet Sam Darnold finished 14 for 31 with 179 yards and an interception, while the Vikings finished with 253 total yards.

After running back Aaron Jones left the game with a hip injury, the Vikings had trouble moving the ball on the ground after finishing with just 82 rushing yards.

“I thought our defense was outstanding today,” Saleh said. “Thirteen points, they allowed 13 points and seven on the pick-6 and three off the field position. But overall, they battled, they kept answering the bell. A couple of plays, I think they want back regarding a couple of opportunities to get takeaways, especially in the pass game.

“But overall, it was a good game for the defense.”

The first half was an unmitigated disaster for the Jets.

Their offense suffered from drop passes, lack of a rushing attack, and turnovers, some of the same miscues that have plagued them for weeks. The Jets didn’t register a first down until 10:50 remaining in the second quarter.

Rodgers threw two interceptions and completed 10-of-20 passes for 95 yards in the first 30 minutes. However, the Jets were down 17-7 after Rodgers’ late second-quarter touchdown to Allen Lazard.

In the third quarter, Rodgers (60,148 yards) became the ninth player in NFL history to pass for 60,000 yards in a career. Tom Brady’s 89,214 career yards are the most any player has thrown in league history. In addition to Brady, Rodgers joins a group of players that includes Drew Brees, Peyton Manning, Brett Favre, Ben Roethlisberger, Philip Rivers, Matt Ryan and Dan Marino.

After the Jets punted, Rodgers headed to the medical tent after he injured his left leg following a hit by Vikings linebacker Jihad Ward on a third-down pass play. Following a roughing the punter penalty on the Vikings, Rodgers jogged back out to the huddle and continued playing.

Rodgers eventually helped the Jets offense down the field, which led to a Greg Zuerlein 32-yard field goal that trimmed the Vikings lead to 17-10 at the end of the third quarter.

Early in the fourth quarter, Will Reichard’s 53-yard field goal extended Minnesota’s lead to 20-10.

Still down by 10 points on a third and-15 play, Jets cornerback Brandin Echols, who came in for Sauce Gardner (head injury), intercepted Darnold’s pass on the 42-yard-line, which allowed Gang Green to get within a score, and Rodgers responded. He found Wilson in the end zone for a one-yard touchdown that cut the Vikings lead to 20-17.

But the Jets didn’t score again following Reichard’s third field goal of the day, this time from 41 yards that gave the Vikings an eventual 23-17 win.

The Jets began the game with the ball. However, they went three-and-out and remain one of the six NFL teams not to score on any of their opening drives this season.

Minnesota got the ball following a Jets punt and had no trouble driving down the field. Two catches by Justin Jefferson help put the Vikings in field goal range. But Will McDonald’s sack forced the Vikings to settle for a Reichard 54-yard field goal that gave them an early 3-0 lead.

Just when it looked like the Vikings were about to extend their lead further, Darnold fumbled a halfback toss to Ty Chandler, and Quincy Williams recovered the ball and returned it to the Vikings’ 42-yard-line.

But Gang Green couldn’t generate points from Minnesota’s mistake. Andrew Van Ginkel recorded his second pick-6 of the season after he intercepted Rodgers and returned it 63 yards for a touchdown. Van Ginkel read Rodgers’ eyes on the quick slant before he broke a tackle and headed straight to the end zone, which gave Minnesota a 10-0 advantage.

Rodgers returned on the next drive and immediately threw another interception, this time to Vikings safety Camryn Bynum. It was the first time during his 20-year career Rodgers had thrown two interceptions in the first quarter.

However, the Jets’ defense kept the Vikings from scoring after the interception when they stopped them on fourth down on their 33-yard line.

In the second quarter, the Vikings extended their lead to 17-0 after C.J. Ham’s two-yard touchdown run.

Gang Green’s offense continued to stall in the quarter until Xavier Gipson’s 30-yard punt return put the team on the 30 to begin the drive. Finally, after their seventh possession, Rodgers found wide receiver Lazard for a 14-yard touchdown that cut the lead to 17-7 before halftime.

Minnesota’s offense received the ball at halftime but quickly went three-and-out. Akayleb Evans’ fair catch interference penalty helped the Jets move the ball from the 25 to the 40-yard line. But that did not help the Jets’ offense, as they again went three-and-out, and Rodgers became visibly frustrated.

Late in the third quarter, Zuerlein’s 32-yard field goal put the Jets down, 17-10, and just one score from tying the game. Reichard’s 53-yard field goal gave the Vikings a 20-10 lead in the fourth quarter. But Rodgers’ one-yard touchdown pass to Wilson got the Jets within three points at 20-17.

Reichard added a late field goal that gave Minnesota a 23-17 lead with 3:07 remaining. It was the final score as Gang Green failed on its comeback attempt.

“You’re always going to find silver linings,” Saleh said. “I’m not ready to talk about them now, but I do appreciate that our guys continue to battle, and they fought and gave ourselves a chance.

“We’re right there with a chance to score a touchdown at the end of the game and go win it, and unfortunately, it didn’t happen for us.”

Gardner was evaluated for a concussion in the third quarter after his collision with Williams, but he returned to the game. Cornerback Michael Carter II did not following his hamstring injury in the first quarter. Linebacker C.J. Mosley (toe) was inactive for the third consecutive game.

Next week, the Jets will be in primetime on Monday Night Football, hosting the Buffalo Bills. The Vikings will have a bye before hosting the Detroit Lions on Oct. 20.

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