Preview, prediction, what to look at for

An inside take a look at Sunday’s Jets-Vikings NFL Week 5 matchup at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London:

Marquee matchup

Vikings WR Justin Jefferson vs. Jets CBs Sauce Gardner and D.J. Reed 

The Jets get to check simply how good their secondary is that this week in opposition to the person most contemplate to be one of the best vast receiver within the NFL.

They confronted him two years in the past with Gardner and Reed splitting time masking him.

There isn’t any purpose to anticipate them to have one participant following Jefferson this time. 

Jefferson signed a four-year, $140 million contract extension within the offseason.

He has 20 catches for 358 yards and 4 touchdowns via 4 video games this 12 months.

Reed is coming off a powerful sport in opposition to the Broncos, and Gardner has been stable as regular in protection.

They each stated they’re trying ahead to this matchup. 

“Justin, you understand, there’s a purpose why he’s the highest-paid receiver,” Reed stated. “, he’s a really particular receiver. In all probability one of the best, I’d say. Yeah, it’s both Justin or Tyreek [Hill]. So it’s not only for me factor. It’s everyone on the sector has to know the place he’s at as a result of clearly they’re going to make the most of them. And yeah, I’m trying ahead to the problem, although.” 

The Jets have been stingy in opposition to the cross this season.

They rank No. 2 within the NFL in passing yards allowed.

They haven’t allowed a 100-yard receiver but this 12 months.

Calvin Ridley of the Titans had probably the most receiving yards in opposition to them with 77. 

Costello’s name

The NFL is wacky.

One week the Jets seem like an environment friendly machine, the following week they seem like they’ll’t do something proper.

I believe issues swing again the opposite approach once more this week, and the Jets will put collectively a powerful sport on offense.

I anticipate a motivated Aaron Rodgers after the criticism grew loud this week.

The protection struggles, however Sauce Gardner intercepts Sam Darnold to seal this win. 

Jets 31, Vikings 27

4 downs

Sam I’m

The Jets noticed Zach Wilson standing on the opposing sideline final week.

Now, they get to see one other one in every of their former first-round decide quarterbacks, however Sam Darnold will likely be taking part in on this one.

Darnold is off to a tremendous begin in his first 12 months with the Vikings.

He has thrown for 932 yards, a league-best 11 touchdowns and three interceptions.

He has the Vikings at 4-0, and he’s dwelling as much as the potential the Jets thought he had once they drafted him No. 3 total in 2018. 

“He’s balling, man,” Jets cornerback D.J. Reed stated. “, proper now he seems to be like an MVP, you understand, kind of participant for the Nationwide Soccer League. I’d simply say the O-line is doing a fantastic job blocking for him. , it’s not that a lot stress in his face, which, you understand, I believe he’s top-of-the-line if he simply doesn’t have something in his face and he’s simply making throws, he might do nice with out stress. And he’s making sensible selections and he’s making explosive performs as effectively.” 

Flag day

The Jets had a horrible day of penalties final week with 15 complete and 13 accepted.

They have been notably horrible with false begins — 5 of them.

This has sparked debate amongst followers about coach Robert Saleh’s skill to do the job and the self-discipline of the group.

Fixing the penalties has been a spotlight this week, however Saleh was clear that doesn’t imply he was making anybody run laps or do pushups for penalties in apply. 

“I personally know they’re males,” Saleh stated. “They need to be handled like males. They already know they tousled. They don’t must be embarrassed. They should know how you can appropriate it, and I don’t assume doing push-ups is educating a man how you can appropriate it.” 

G-force

One of many largest mysteries of the early season for the Jets is what has occurred with star vast receiver Garrett Wilson.

The third-year participant doesn’t appear to be on the identical web page as quarterback Aaron Rodgers, and he has but to have an explosive sport.

Wilson has 20 catches for 191 yards and one landing in 4 video games.

His season-high in receiving yards is 60 from Week 1 in opposition to the 49ers.

The group is downplaying the disconnect between Wilson and Rodgers, nevertheless it has been obvious early this season.

Might this be the day they click on? 

The 60K membership

Rodgers is on the verge of a private milestone on this sport.

He wants 96 passing yards to turn into the ninth participant in NFL historical past to cross for 60,000 yards — becoming a member of Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Peyton Manning, Brett Favre, Ben Roethlisberger, Philip Rivers, Matt Ryan and Dan Marino. 

He’s going to should do it in opposition to a tricky Vikings protection.

They lead the league in sacks with 17 and are tied for the league lead with eight interceptions.

Rodgers took a beating final week in opposition to a blitzing Broncos group.

The Jets might want to present they’ll deal with stress this week from the Brian Flores-led protection that can blitz all day.