Monday Morning Mailbag: London Trip Recap, Fans React to Vikings Win Over Jets

What a game. Rodgers throws two picks to the Vikings in the first quarter. I am certain that has never happened before.

Offense not the same without Aaron Jones — too bad he was injured and hope it is not serious. More disappointing play heading into halftime? Below are my 3 Ups and 3 Downs for the game:

1. Nice start to game. Back-to-back three-and-outs to open the game by our defense. And a nice opening drive by the offense for a FG, followed by Andrew Van Ginkel’s pick six and then a second interception.

2. Great TD-scoring drive by the offense late in the second quarter. Nicely called and nicely executed.

3. Fourth quarter defensive stand for the win. Very nicely done.

1. Wasted opportunity on the second pick. Third-and-2 and you pass long on the sideline to Justin Jefferson when you have the easy dump off for first down? Then on fourth-and-2, you throw a bomb? Gift to the Jets.

2. More careless and foolish play late second quarter. Starting with a penalty by Jay Ward on the punt return that costs us 25 yards of field position followed by help for the Jets with the clock, delay of game penalty, and a three-and-out. Then, of course, poor punt coverage and the Rodgers TD pass. All of this starts with the gross special teams penalty on the received punt at 2 minutes. Weak play heading into halftime is getting old. This is just another version of how we gave away our 28-0 halftime lead against the Packers last week. Aaron Rodgers and the Jets just say thank you very much.

3. Our punt teams, both receiving and coverage. They both gave key and repetitive advantage to the Jets, and Aaron Rodgers took advantage. They have to get better; they have to play smarter.

Another close win. Looking forward to the Lions after the well-deserved bye.

That was just the 20^th game in which Rodgers had thrown two or more interceptions and the second time when facing the Vikings (Oct. 24, 2010). Jared Allen, who was inducted to the London Games Ring of Honour at halftime with Osi Umenyiora, picked off Rodgers in the first quarter of that game, and Madieu Williams nabbed one in the second quarter.

Rodgers had never thrown two interceptions in one first quarter against anyone.

That’s now 300 minutes of Vikings football and playing from behind for a total of 3:26 this season.

Minnesota has been consistent in building a lead one way or another and has ultimately protected the margin with various methods.

Both offenses struggled, and the Vikings special teams had an up-and-down day.

Placekicking was great — and much appreciated by the locals — and Ryan Wright and the coverage team pinned the Jets deep in their territory two times, but the Jets were getting a good bit of traffic around punt returner Brandon Powell, which can result in some bad outcomes if not fixed.