Different continent, same result for the Minnesota Vikings.
The Vikings brought their 4-0 record to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London to face the New York Jets. They’ll return home on Sunday evening with another win and an unblemished 5-0 mark after a 23-17 triumph.
Minnesota’s perfect record has taken the NFL by storm. Here’s a look at how they notched their fifth win and where they sit among the NFL’s surprising teams so far.
Brian Flores, Vikings Defense Stifle Aaron Rodgers
Sam Darnold has been one of the NFL’s feel-good stories over the first quarter of the season, but the Vikings’ defense has been every bit as important in the team’s undefeated start.
It was more of the same for Brian Flores’ crew on Sunday in London against Aaron Rodgers.
An unrelenting pass rush, a flurry of exotic schematics and three interceptions were the keys for the Vikings’ defense.
The two most impactful defensive plays for Minnesota came in the first quarter and the fourth quarter, and Aaron Rodgers was on the wrong end of both.
On the third play of New York’s fourth series, Vikings’ linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel lined up near the line of scrimmage presenting as a rusher. At the snap, he dropped into coverage. Rodgers fired a quick pass, but Van Ginkel was quicker. He left his feet, intercepted the pass, and sprinted 63 yards down the left sideline for a touchdown. It was the second pick six of the season for Van Ginkel and it gave the Vikings a 10-0 lead.
Rodgers’ third interception of the day was also the nail in the coffin for New York. Trailing 23-17 with 49 seconds to play, the Jets were faced with a third-and-eight from the Minnesota 26-yard line. Rodgers threw a pass down the right sideline for receiver Mike Williams, with Stephon Gilmore in coverage. Gilmore was in perfect position and hauled in Rodgers’ pass while falling to the ground, securing the interception and sealing the Vikings’ win.
Rodgers finished the game going 29 of 54 for 244 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions. It marks just the second time in 30 starts against the Vikings where Rodgers threw multiple interceptions.
While Garrett Wilson gave the Vikings’ defense fits with 13 catches for 101 yards and one touchdown on 22 targets, no one else was able to make a big impact. New York rushed for just 36 yards on 14 carries, and the pass protection was shredded as the Vikings tallied three sacks and 11 hits while battering Rodgers all game.
Safety Camryn Bynum joined Gilmore and Van Ginkel with an interception. It was Ivan Pace, Jr., Harrison Phillips, and Harrison Smith who tallied the sacks. Phillips was also credited with a forced fumble.
Rookie Phenom Jayden Daniels Leads Commanders to 3-1 Record
The Washington Commanders’ starting quarterback has accounted for seven touchdowns (four rushing, three receiving), over 1,000 yards of total offense and only one turnover. That’s a pretty good start for any NFL quarterback.
It’s a sensational – and surprising – start for a rookie quarterback.
Jayden Daniels DEEP to Terry McLaurin for 66 yards. 🔥🔥pic.twitter.com/jbO3BYA1Y2
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) October 6, 2024
Jayden Daniels has looked like anything but a rookie. And his stellar play has the Commanders staked to a 3-1 start and top standing in the NFC East.
Washington and Daniels have a good chance to keep it going this week as they host the struggling 1-3 Cleveland Browns.
Justin Fields Helps Pittsburgh Steelers to Surprising 3-1 Start
Sam Darnold and the Vikings aren’t the only story featuring a former first-round quarterback revitalizing his career with a new team.
Justin Fields, selected by the Chicago Bears with the 11th pick of the 2021 draft, has started every game for Pittsburgh this season and is a leading factor in their first-place standing in the AFC North.
Fields has completed 70.6% of his passes, has only one turnover compared to three touchdown passes, and has added three rushing touchdowns. Fields is the only member of the Steelers with a rushing touchdown on the season.
Pittsburgh faces the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday Night Football this week.
Bo Nix and Denver Broncos Above .500 After Third Straight Win
The Denver Broncos are not widely considered a playoff contender, but that’s exactly where they sit after a third straight win since an 0-2 start. Sunday, the Broncos not only delivered another stifling defensive performance, they had their best offensive showing of the season against the Las Vegas Raiders, too.
Bo Nix set season-high marks in completion percentage (70.4%), yards per attempt (7.6), and EPA on pass attempts (4.1), among other categories. The Broncos recorded three touchdown drives in a four-drive span in the second half, easily their best offensive stretch of the season.
Of course, the headliner is a defense that now ranks third in scoring defense (14.6 PPG) and second in EPA (64.5). Patrick Surtain II continued his All-Pro campaign, intercepting two passes including a pick-six.
Of course Pat Surtain goes for a 100-yard pick six with Champ Bailey in the house 🐴
(via @Broncos) pic.twitter.com/uIj25tJhz1
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) October 6, 2024
With the Broncos likely to be favored in their next game (home vs. the Los Angeles Chargers), Denver could be on the verge of extending its win streak.
Injury-Plagued Kansas City Chiefs Keep on Winning
It’s not surprise to see the Kansas City Chiefs off to an undefeated 4-0 start. They are, after all, on a quest to win their third straight Super Bowl.
But considering they’re doing this despite serious injuries to several starters, the undefeated start bears some accommodation.
Last week, it was Rashee Rice who went down with a knee injury, the severity of which is still to be determined. It is known, however, that Rice will miss at least the next four games because he’s been placed on the injured reserve list.
Earlier in the season, it was starting running back Isiah Pacheco who went down. He broke his fibula during the team’s Week 2 win and is expected to miss at least the following six-to-eight weeks.
Before the Pacheco and Rice injuries, the Chiefs lost receiver Hollywood Brown for several months. Brown injured his shoulder before the season began and was initially expected to return. The injury ultimately required surgery, however, and now the priority free agent signing’s return timetable is ambiguous.
Through all of these injuries, the Chiefs have asked other players to step, and they’ve also brought in veteran help, such as receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster and running backs Kareem Hunt and Samaje Perine.