When the matchups for the 2024 NFL London Games were revealed, and it transpired that the New York Jets would be facing the Minnesota Vikings at Tottenham Hotspur in the first of three games to take place in the English capital, the sport’s ever-growing fanbase this side of the Atlantic were abuzz to get the opportunity to catch another glimpse of Aaron Rodgers.
Rodgers—now in his 20th season in the NFL—is one of the best quarterbacks to ever grace the game. With the Californian turning 41 in December, this will likely be the last time he participates in a London fixture—meaning tickets to the Vikings vs the Jets were like gold dust, especially with arguably the best wide receiver in the sport right now, Justin Jefferson, representing Minnesota.
The veteran QB made his maiden appearance in London just two years ago when his former side, the Green Bay Packers, took on the New York Giants at the home of Spurs.
That matchup infamously ended in disaster for Rodgers and the Cheeseheads, as the Packers blew a 20-10 half-time lead to ultimately lose 27-22 to the Giants.
The 40-year-old was desperate to get the win in London this time out, but that was always going to be an uphill task for the Jets as the Vikings travelled to the UK boasting an unbeaten record of 4-0 in the opening weeks of the season—making them the overwhelming favourites to pick up another win in the NFL betting.
Not only did the Jets fall to a 23-17 loss to the in-form Vikings, taking Rodgers’ record to 0-2 in London, but the Hall of Fame quarterback had an afternoon to forget at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium—leading to many American football fans and pundits alike claiming that he could be passed his best.
The Vikings sailed into a 17-7 lead in the first half as the Jets failed to fire up their engines in the early stages of the game. Rodgers had a particularly poor start to the match, throwing two interceptions—including a 63-yard pick six to Vikings linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel—in the first quarter of a game for the first time in his lengthy NFL career.
It would be harsh to slate Rodgers entirely for his performance, as he did get the Jets fans out of their seats with touchdown passes to Allan Lazard in the second quarter and Garrett Wilson in the fourth, giving the New York franchise the chance to mount a sensational comeback at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The Jets did have a chance to win the game late on, but their nerve-wracking late drive ended in a third interception for Rodgers. Down by just six points with a minute left on the clock, the Jets were back in dangerous territory and threatening to end the Vikings’ unbeaten start to the season.
However, Minnesota cornerback Stephon Gilmore was the third member of the Vikings’ defence to successfully read Rodgers’ intended play and stopped the ball from getting to its intended target, Mike Williams, inside the red zone.
It’s worth noting that Rodgers picked up an injury in the second quarter and did well to play on despite visibly struggling at times. But his overall performance on the afternoon is one he will hope to forget in a hurry.
