A few years ago, it would've been wild to forecast Aaron Rodgers and Sam Darnold meeting in London, except with the former captaining the New York Jets, and the latter entering their matchup as the superior quarterback for Rodgers' old rival, the Minnesota Vikings. Yet here we are, about a quarter of the way into the 2024 NFL season, and Darnold is drawing legitimate MVP buzz for the unbeaten Vikings, whereas Rodgers is desperate to find a rhythm for the uneven Jets overseas.
In truth, this cross-conference clash across the pond is about much more than the quarterbacks. Darnold has enjoyed one of the NFL's deepest supporting casts to start his purple reign. Rodgers, meanwhile, has showcased his trademark arm while struggling to get fully in sync with young weapons like Garrett Wilson, depending more on Robert Saleh's defense to start 2-2. Going head to head in London, with 11 of the NFL's last 13 international games decided by one score, is a chance for both sides to make a statement.
The Vikings' Domination
For weeks, it's been reasonable to call the Vikings' litany of matchups with higher-profile contenders, such as the 49ers and Houston Texans, "prove-it" games for Minnesota. Now? It's safe to say the Vikings should be favored in just about every matchup. It's not just Darnold's rise. It's the fact he's had basically everything -- an Aaron Jones-led run game, a sturdy front, a deep receiving corps, a highly versatile defense -- on his side. This Jets game could play right into the Vikings' favor once more, as Flores' front should be primed to get after an admittedly banged-up Rodgers.
Jets' Defensive Struggles
Will the Jets keep it close as a result of their own "D"? Probably. These international games, again, aren't so different from divisional matchups, where the unique factors -- in this case, overseas travel and altered pregame routines -- tend to make things especially unpredictable. And yet, the Vikings have shown too much balance across the board to be written off here. It may take an uglier, lower-scoring affair to get to 5-0, but Minnesota has the chops for it, especially with New York already facing questions in the trenches. Pick: Vikings 21, Jets 19
How to Watch
New York and Minnesota get Week 5 started today with the NFL's first international game of the season.
It's an earlier-than-usual start to the Sunday slate of games for Week 5 because we have an international contest. The New York Jets and Minnesota Vikings are playing in London, which means an early kickoff for fans in the US.
The game will be held at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in north London and is scheduled to start at 2:30 p.m. local time in London -- that's 9:30 a.m. ET for Jets fans in New York or 8:30 a.m. CT for Vikings fans in Minnesota. It will be broadcast nationally on NFL Network, and fans in the New York and Minnesota markets will also be able to watch on a local network channel.
Streaming Options
With YouTube and YouTube TV the exclusive home of NFL Sunday Ticket, along with games also streaming on Paramount Plus, Peacock and ESPN Plus, there's lots for NFL fans to keep track of this season. Check out our picks for the best live TV streaming services for NFL fans in 2024.
Fans who live in the local TV market of the Jets or Vikings and don't have NFL Network can watch on a local network -- CBS 2 (WCBS) in New York and NBC 11 (KARE) in Minneapolis, per 506 Sports.
Streaming Service Options
- Sling TV: Sling TV's Sling Blue package costs $40 or $45 a month (in markets where it offers local networks) and includes NFL Network. Read our Sling TV review.
- YouTube TV: YouTube TV costs $73 a month and includes NFL Network. Right now, the first four months are discounted to $65 a month and there is a 21-day free trial. Read our YouTube TV review.
- Hulu Plus Live TV: Hulu Plus Live TV costs $77 and includes NFL Network. Read our Hulu Plus Live TV review.
- Fubo: Fubo costs $80 a month and includes NFL Network, but Fubo charges an RSN fee (either $12 a month if you get one RSN or $15 a month if you have two or more in your area) that raises the monthly charge to $92 or $95. Fubo is currently offering $30 off for the first month of some of its plans, which means you can get its base Pro plan for $62 or $65 to start. Read our Fubo review.
- DirecTV Stream: You'll need a $15 add-on package on top of DirecTV Stream's basic $80-a-month package to get NFL Network. Read our DirecTV Stream review.
All the live TV streaming services above allow you to cancel anytime and require a solid internet connection. Looking for more information? Check out our live TV streaming services guide.
Jets vs. Vikings - London Game - Highlights
- Justin Jefferson and the Minnesota Vikings face the New York Jets in London in Week 5.
Vikings' Domination on the Field
Key Takeaways
- Sam Darnold's stellar performance: Darnold continues to lead the Vikings to victory with his impressive play.
- The Vikings' well-rounded offense: The Vikings boast a potent offense that's fueled by a strong run game, a deep receiving corps, and a stellar offensive line.
- Vikings' strong defense: The Vikings' defense proved to be a formidable force against the Jets, effectively shutting down Aaron Rodgers and the New York offense.
- Jets' struggles: The Jets struggled to find their offensive rhythm, and their defense couldn't contain the Vikings' potent attack.
While the Vikings are on a roll, it remains to be seen if they can sustain their dominant performance. They will need to continue their consistent play and capitalize on their strong offensive and defensive units.
The Jets will need to regroup and address their offensive shortcomings to regain their winning form. The international clash in London presented a valuable learning experience for both teams. We'll see how they use their lessons from this match to propel themselves forward in the upcoming season.
