The Vikings have a major issue on special teams and for once it's not the kicker

The Minnesota Vikings found a way to pull out a victory overseas in London, England over the New York Jets by a score of 23-17. It wasn't very pretty, but the Vikings found a way to pull it out.

There were a lot of issues for the Vikings in the win, as they won a clunker on Sunday morning over the Jets. They did find a way to win with three interceptions on quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

There was one group that played worse than any other unit on the Vikings: the punt return unit and it nearly cost the Vikings the game.

Akayleb Evans getting pushed into the returner

On nearly every punt coverage rep, Evans has been taken advantage of by the opposing team as a gunner on every play. They have been blocking him into punt returner Brandon Powell consistently and it caused a littany of issues.

On the second punt of the game, Evans was blocked into Powell and nearly caused a turnover but the ball luckily hit the Jets player who was engaged with Evans. He was a constant issue and the Jets tried to take advantage of him. Thankfully, it didn't end up working but it could become an issue down the line.

Jay Ward pointless block in the back

The Vikings have shot themselves in the foot and it's turned into 10 points for the Jets. The first instance came on a punt return at the end of the first half by Powell. He got the ball out to nearly the 20-yard line, but Ward was called for an illegal block in the back.

It wasn't one of those close plays either where he blocked from the side. It was blatant and to make things worse, it was behind the return with the defender's momentum carrying him away from the play which makes the penalty a boneheaded decision. You have to play smarter than that and the Vikings didn't show the propensity of that in this game.

Ivan Pace Jr. roughing the punter

This might be the worst of them all. The Vikings had stopped the Jets on a three and out inside their own 20 yard line forcing a punt. It would give the Vikings field position around midfield. A short field could have helped the Vikings build their lead up. Unfortunately, they got a little aggressive and it burned them.

Pace went for the block and hit the plant leg of the punter Thomas Morstead. It wasn't a lot of contact but having that is against the rules and triggers a roughing the kicker penalty. That 15 yard penalty gave the Jets the ball back and they got a field goal on the drive to get the game within one score. You can't make those mistakes, especially when you have a lead and are trying to preserve and build upon it

On the last Jets punt of the day, Dallas Turner ended up getting called for a holding penalty which brought the ball back. It was a rough game for them and it could end up costing someone their job.

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