If the Minnesota Vikings are going to go across the pond and emerge victorious once again , they’ll need to be ready for the New York Jets. Robert Saleh’s team is just 2-2, but Aaron Rodgers will never not be a dangerous quarterback. Kevin O’Connell must have his team ready to go for all four quarters .
The Vikings have been rolling through the first four weeks of the season. The slight scare against the Green Bay Packers may have been a necessary wake-up call. It presents the Vikings with a perfect time to refocus, and despite being favored , there is plenty of noise with such a substantial travel week, and a trio of players will be under the microscope.
Sam Darnold can get revenge with the Minnesota Vikings
Shortly after leaving USC, the New York Jets selected Darnold with the third overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. The organization was never in a position to support him in any manner. The marriage went up in flames and his career got off to an ugly start. He has dealt with a long road to revive things, and can put a bow on that experiment with a win for Minnesota.
Thus far, Darnold has looked every bit the part of a legitimate MVP candidate . He has limited his mistakes and made good reads while executing explosive plays. The Vikings have surrounded him with high-level playmakers and Kevin O’Connell has put him in positive situations. Darnold will need to execute on Sunday, but this win would mean just a bit more.
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Of course it’s never a bad thing for a quarterback when you can best Aaron Rodgers on the other side.
Vikings’ Stephon Gilmore can shut down Jets’ options
When the Minnesota Vikings signed Stephon Gilmore , the thought was that he could elevate the entire secondary. That has proven to be exactly the case, and he has been a quiet candidate for team MVP . Opposing quarterbacks have rarely even looked his way , and the Jets don’t have a plethora of great pass catchers.
Mike Williams is coming off an ACL injury and is 30 years old . Allen Lazard is just a favorite of Rodgers’ from Green Bay. Garrett Wilson is the standout, and that’s where Gilmore should be expected to focus most. If the Vikings’ top corner can provide time for the defensive front to get home, then Rodgers could be under duress early and often.
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Minnesota’s defense has racked up sacks at a breakneck pace this season. Rodgers can be slippery, but he has already been taken down 10 times in just four games.
Will Reichard feeling out a new surface
A week ago, the New York Jets scored nothing but field goals. They held the Denver Broncos offense to just 10 points. The Minnesota Vikings should find a way to score more frequently, but Will Reichard’s leg could play a significant factor. If the kicking game is going to matter, then so too will the surface.
Through his first four professional games, Reichard has been perfect. He has made all six of his field goals , including a hit from 58 yards out. He also has nailed a league-leading 14 extra points. The grass surface in London at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is different. It’s partly why the Vikings have no incentive to return eligible players off of injured reserve. That could impact the point of contact for Reichard, and he will need to get comfortable pregame.
Related: When is Will Reichard’s Next Haircut? The Vikings Hope Never
Kevin O’Connell hasn’t needed his kicker to make anything exceptionally high-leverage yet. That doesn’t mean it isn’t coming, and the surface can’t be the cause of the first miss.
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