The New York Jets may actually benefit by having to play this game across the pond in London.
The red-hot Minnesota Vikings, one of the two remaining NFL unbeatens, seemingly pose a much stiffer challenge at home than in a neutral site affair that requires more than 4,000 miles of air travel each way. The one issue is that a long flight is not ideal for 40-year-old Aaron Rodgers and his banged up left knee.
"I felt like we have a really good plan from a sleep standpoint, so we are making some changes," said Jets' fourth-year head coach Robert Saleh. "It's my fifth trip there. There's a lot of banked history, and things that we're trying this year to see if we can be a little bit better and more efficient to start the game."
While Rodgers should be able to exploit the Vikings' last-ranked passing defense (274.3), the Jets must find a way to slow old friend Sam Darnold. Through four games as Minnesota's starting field general, Darnold leads the league in touchdown passes (11) and quarterback rating (118.9).
The Jets and the Vikings have played one common opponent to date. New York dropped a season-opening road game, 32-19, to the San Francisco 49ers and Minnesota posted a 23-17 home win over the reigning NFC champions the following week.
The Sporting News senior writer Vinnie Iyer is predicting that the underdog Jets will knock the Vikings from the ranks of the undefeated in the October 6 international battle.
From NFL picks, predictions against the spread Week 5:
- Jets at Vikings (+2.5, 40.5 o/u)
Sunday 9:30 p.m. ET, NFL Network (in London)
The Vikings are sizzling at 4-0 and living off a lot of takeaways to facilitate the efficient play of Sam Darnold. The former Jets QB isn't seeing ghosts anymore, but across the pond, he will face the fog of a tough Jets defense. Aaron Rodgers will do a better job of protecting himself and the ball against his old NFC North rivals. This also will be a key rebound game for Breece Hall, Braelon Allen, and the running game in a defensive-minded escape.
Pick: Jets win 20-17. — Vinnie Iyer
More New York Jets News:
• Aaron Rodgers Week 5 injury status different than head coach initially expected
• Jets slide in NFL power rankings, head to London after troubling Denver loss
• Raiders have what Aaron Rodgers and Jets desperately need
• Jets' defense closer to receiving much-needed boost off Injured Reserve
• Jets' highly-touted rookie surprisingly buried with wildly low snap count
