Jets Week 5 report card: Aaron Rodgers terrible as offense sinks

Grading the Jets’ 23-17 loss to the Vikings on Sunday in London:

Offense

The Jets turned the ball over three times and allowed 11 quarterback hits.

They had only one long drive and started slowly again.

QB Aaron Rodgers (29-for-54, 244 yards, 2 TDs, 3 INTs, 54.9 QB rating) had a terrible day.

He gave the Vikings a touchdown on his pick-six to Andrew Van Ginkel and then failed to lead the Jets to the game-winning score at the end.

It was another rough day for the offensive line with only 36 rushing yards and 11 hits on Rodgers.

WR Garret Wilson (22 targets, 13 catches, 101 yards, 1 TD) had a strong performance.

Grade: D

Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) is hit as he throws against the Vikings in London on Oct. 6, 2024. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con

Defense

The Jets got off to a slow start but then played stifling defense against an offense that has been tearing teams up.

The Jets gave up just two field goals in the second half, and Vikings star WR Justin Jefferson (6 catches, 92 yards) had a fairly quiet day by his standards.

The biggest issue was the penalties.

Sauce Gardner (3 penalties) and D.J. Reed (2 penalties) both got flagged for being too physical.

Some of the calls looked questionable but they still ended up costing the Jets.

Vikings QB Sam Darnold (14-for-31, 179 yards, 1 INT, 50.3 rating) looked more like the old Jets Darnold than the one who got off to a hot start this season.

Grade: B

Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14) throws against the Jets on Oct. 6, 2024. Getty Images

Special teams

Xavier Gipson gave the Jets a huge spark with a 35-yard punt return before halftime that set up the Jets’ first score of the game.

Greg Zuerlein made a field goal after last week’s miss in the final minute.

Punter Thomas Morstead had two punts inside the 20.

Grade: B

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Coaching

The Jets started so slowly again.

Robert Saleh has to figure out why his team is taking so long to get started.

The Jets played well for most of three quarters on Sunday but they were in a hole because of their first quarter.

Offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett still has not found a way to get the running game going.

The Jets had 14 rushes and 57 dropbacks on Sunday.

That is not a winning formula.