Throughout the regular season, NewYorkJets.com reporters Eric Allen, Ethan Greenberg, Randy Lange, Caroline Hendershot and John Pullano will give their responses to a series of questions regarding this year's Jets.
Today's question: What is the key for the Jets to bring home a win from London?
EA: Not only do the Vikings sport a 4-0 record, but they've jumped on each of their opponents with double-digit leads in the first half. They've been dictating play on their terms, having trailed for only 3:26 entering Week 5. While the Jets defense will provide a stern test for the 'Vikes prolific attack, I think the Jets have to score 24+ points to win this game. In their 2 wins, the Jets reached 24 against the Titans and the Patriots. But in their losses, they were held to 19 points in San Francisco and then three field goals last Sunday in the 10-9 loss to the Broncos. The offense is still figuring things out, ranking No. 25 in yards per play (4.81), No. 27 in rush yards per play (3.70) and No. 22 in pass yards/play (5.98). The protection must be better for Aaron Rodgers after he got sacked 5 times and was hit 14 times in that loss against Denver. The Vikings are also going to dial up the pressure and they lead the league with 17 sacks and are tied for the league lead with 8 INTs. Rodgers, who's had a lot of success against Minnesota, had 47 dropbacks last week. The Jets will need more offensive balance, and I think an early lead will go a long way towards victory in London.
EG: Running the football. The Jets have averaged 117 yards in their two wins and 66 in their two losses. Breece Hall is coming off a career-low 4 rushing yards in Week 4 against the Broncos and has a challenging test ahead in the Vikings No. 2 rush defense. If Hall, Braelon Allen and the Green & White can establish a ground attack or find success with screens and short passing plays, it will open up more things through the air against the league's worst pass defense (274.3 yds/g). Hall is a dynamic player and the Green & White typically have success when he does. Not to mention being able to run the ball and maintain possession will hold off the NFL's No. 10 overall offense that has scored the most touchdowns in the NFL.
RL: The key for me is the Jets D. Defensively, Justin Jefferson-from-Sam Darnold has been crushing opponents in Minnestoa's first four games, but the Jets, with the newly constructed corner team of Sauce Gardner and D.J. Reed, held Jefferson-from-Kirk Cousins to 45 yards (and a TD) on seven catches in their '22 meeting at Minny. And early on the Jets have one of the league's best pass defenses, No. 2 with 128 yards/game and No. 1 at 4.74 yards/play. With that in mind, it will be equally important to limit the Vikings' point production, since they're 4th in the NFL in points/game and have not trailed or even been tied for their last 15 quarters. If the defense can pitch a few shutout series, then Aaron Rodgers and the offense cam attack the Vikes' 32nd-ranked pass defense (but 11th in net yards/pass play allowed) with controlled completions and a few more touchdowns up and down the Tottenham Hotspur pitch. The offense has its role to play in possession-time/turnover/point management, but I see it starting with a strong pass defense beating the Vikings to the punch.
CH: The biggest key for the Jets this Sunday in London will be their offensive line. Last week against the Broncos, QB Aaron Rodgers was blitzed on 49 percent of his drop backs as he was sacked 5 times and hit 14. It was the first time Rodgers was unable to throw a passing TD since Week 1 of the 2022 season. The Jets will face the Vikings who lead the NFL with 17 sacks, 77 QB pressures and the second-highest blitz rate in the NFL (Broncos are No. 1) at 41.3%. The Jets need to learn from last game to adjust the blitz pickup for this matchup. While the Vikings have success getting after the QB, they are last in the NFL in passing yards allowed per game with 274. In his career, Rodgers is 5-0 against last ranked pass defenses. If the offensive line can give Rodgers the time to throw, the unit will be successful.
JP: Learn from their mistakes. In Week 4, the Jets offense stumbled in a 10-9 loss to the Broncos failing to score a touchdown for the first time in a game this season. Denver, who leads the league in blitz rate, sacked QB Aaron Rodgers 5 times and blitzed on 49% of his drop backs. The Jets Week 5 opponent, the Minnesota Vikings, blitzes on 41.3% of drop backs, the second-most in the NFL. For the Jets offense to get back on track and thwart the Vikings defense, which is allowing the fourth-fewest points per game (14.8), they will need to manage the pressure better. Also in Week 4, the Jets committed a season-high 13 penalties for 90 yards. In Weeks 1-3, the Jets averaged 6 penalties per game, the 10th fewest in the NFL. If the Green & White can better slow the blitz and limit their penalties, they will look more like the team in Weeks 2 and 3, and have a chance to fly back from across the pond 3-2.
