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The Minnesota Vikings will try to improve to 5-0 for the first time since 2009 when they trek across the pond for a Week 5 date against old rival Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets in the first of three London games this season.
The Vikings are one of the most surprising 4-0 teams in recent memory, riding the red-hot arm of Sam Darnold and the NFL’s second-ranked run defense. They have defeated legitimate contenders, too, banking wins against the San Francisco 49ers, Houston Texans and Green Bay Packers.
Minnesota has another tough test this week against the 2-2 Jets, who are coming off a low-energy 10-9 loss to the Denver Broncos but have an elite defense and solid offense. Rodgers & Co. may only be averaging 19 points per game (21st in NFL), but New York’s defense is allowing just 256.5 yards per game (second-fewest) and 15.5 points per game (fifth-fewest).
Despite having the best record in the NFC, the Vikings are tied for the sixth-shortest Super Bowl odds (+1400 at DraftKings Sportsbook), as bettors and oddsmakers have been slow to catch on. The Jets have the ninth-shortest odds at +2000 but need a win here to stay above .500.
Can Rodgers bounce back from last week’s dud? Or will Minnesota stay unbeaten?
Let’s dig into this intriguing international game at our favorite NFL betting sites.
Game Details
- Matchup: New York Jets vs. Minnesota Vikings
- Date: Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024 (Week 5)
- Time: 9:30 a.m. ET
- Location: Tottenham-Hotspur Stadium (London)
- Watch: NFL Network
Odds Summary
- Moneyline: Jets +130, Vikings -155
- Spread: Jets +2.5 (+102), Vikings -2.5 (-122)
- Total: Over/Under 40.5 (-108/-112)
Odds from DraftKings Sportsbook and subject to change.
Jets vs. Vikings Moneyline
Coming off back-to-back wins, the Jets may have let their guard down against Bo Nix and the Broncos last week. However, they should have more respect for their opponent this week and be more prepared.
New York is plenty familiar with Darnold, who spent the first three seasons of his career in green and white after going third overall in the 2018 NFL Draft. The Jets’ defense has stifled opposing quarterbacks, giving up the second-fewest passing yards and third-fewest passing touchdowns through the first four weeks.
That said, Darnold is cooking, completing 68.9% of his passes and leading the NFL with 11 touchdowns while throwing just three interceptions. He’s been a function of the Vikings’ exceptional balance, as they’re one of the few teams with more run plays (112) than pass attempts (106).
New York’s run defense has struggled in the early going, ranking 20th in rushing yards allowed. With Darnold on fire and Aaron Jones in line for a big day, Minnesota should remain undefeated.
Jets vs. Vikings Spread
The Vikings are 3-1 against a -2.5 spread, which is an extremely favorable number. They only need to win by a field goal to cover, which they’ve done in three of their four games this year.
The only time they didn’t was during last week’s 31-29 win over the Packers. Minnesota raced out to a 28-0 lead in the second quarter and essentially took the second half off, allowing Green Bay to score 22 fourth-quarter points and make things interesting.
Only six of 64 games this year (9.4%) have been decided by fewer than three points. So if you’re backing the Vikings to win, taking them to cover -2.5 is essential.
Jets vs. Vikings Total
These are two of the best defenses in the NFL, and New York’s offense has sputtered, especially running the ball.
The Jets are 27th in rushing yards per game (91.5) and haven’t quite gotten uncorked yet, failing to reach 25 points in any game. They’ve only outscored the New England Patriots and Tennessee Titans – two of the worst offenses in the league.
Both offenses may be sluggish after traveling overseas. If the Vikings can stymie Breece Hall and Rodgers has another mediocre performance, the Under should hit.
Jets vs. Vikings Props
Aaron Jones Anytime Touchdown Scorer (-105)
This could be the Darnold revenge game, but that won’t preclude Jones scoring a touchdown. He’s already scored twice this year and could find paydirt again in England.
New York has surrendered three rushing TDs in four games – one more than it has allowed through the air. With Minnesota likely to lean on the run and being one of the best screen-pass teams in football, Jones is poised to get red-zone touches or potentially break a long one for a score.
Breece Hall Under 53.5 Rushing Yards (-115)
Hall was unbelievably inefficient last week, posting just four yards on 10 carries in New York’s shocking one-point loss to Denver. The Jets running back has seen his rushing yards total decline in each of the last two weeks and is averaging just 43.5 rushing yards per game.
Minnesota’s run defense has been remarkably stout, yielding the second-fewest rushing yards and third-fewest yards per carry. Hall’s also been outplayed by rookie Braelon Allen, who’s out-rushed him in each of the last two weeks.
Take the Under on this prop, especially if New York falls behind and has to pass more.
Jets vs. Vikings Best Bets Summary
- Moneyline: Vikings (-155). These moneyline odds have a bit more juice than we’d like. But with the potential for Darnold to continue his dream season against the team that drafted him, betting Minnesota is the play.
- Spread: Vikings -2.5 (-122). The Vikings are 3-1 against this line and if they win, they’ll almost certainly do so by at least three points.
- Total: Under 40.5 (-112). Two elite defenses against two jet-lagged offenses, including a 40-year-old quarterback? That reeks of an Under.
- Aaron Jones Anytime Touchdown Scorer (-105). Jones has scored once through the air and once on the ground this year, so don’t be surprised if he finds the end zone.
- Breece Hall Under 53.5 Rushing Yards (-115). Hall has struggled this year and is going up against an elite run defense. That doesn’t bode well for his rushing yards total, barring a big play.
Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images.