LONDON — The New York Jets brought Aaron Rodgers on board this season hoping for moments that would spark their playoff aspirations. However, with just over three minutes left in a tightly contested game against the undefeated Minnesota Vikings, it was a critical interception that dashed their hopes and sealed a 23-17 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Rodgers, who started the game strong but struggled initially, had already thrown two interceptions before the Jets managed to claw their way back into contention. Despite their difficulties, they found themselves trailing by just six points, with a chance to secure a late-game victory. Unfortunately, disaster struck when Rodgers attempted a risky pass to Mike Williams, only to see it intercepted by Vikings cornerback Stephon Gilmore, marking Rodgers’ third interception of the game and contributing to what was only the sixth three-pick game in his Hall of Fame career.

The Jets had a nightmarish start, quickly falling behind 17-0, with one of those points courtesy of a pick-six thrown by Rodgers. The team seemed out of sync early on, with their first four possessions ending in just three plays each and failing to establish a rhythm. After a defensive fumble recovery set them up at the Vikings' 42-yard line, the Jets squandered the opportunity, instead watching as Rodgers became the victim of a blitz that led to a 63-yard interception return for a touchdown by Andrew Van Ginkel.

Reflecting on his performance, Rodgers expressed disappointment, acknowledging, “Obviously, I was below my standard. Three turnovers for me is definitely out of character and disappointing.” His struggles came to a head early in the first quarter, as he became the first player in his storied career to throw two interceptions in a single quarter.

Yet, the Jets exhibited resilience, breaking through the Vikings' defenses with a touchdown from Allen Lazard just before halftime, followed by a field goal from Greg Zuerlein in the third quarter and a touchdown pass to Garrett Wilson in the final quarter that brought them to within three points at 20-17. However, they were unable to maintain the momentum after the Vikings secured their lead with a 41-yard field goal.

Despite the loss, the Jets defense showed promise, allowing only 16 points in total and stifling the Vikings in the second half, where they only managed six points. Nonetheless, costly penalties and missed opportunities proved detrimental to the Jets’ efforts.

Adding to the challenges, Rodgers injured his ankle in the third quarter but chose to remain in the game, downplaying the injury as a low ankle sprain. "It was painful, but I was able to keep going," he said.

Next up, the Jets will return home to face the Buffalo Bills on "Monday Night Football." With their season slipping, Rodgers remains optimistic. "There will be a lot of people outside the building who won’t be sticking with the Jets, so if we stick together, I still have a lot of confidence in this team," he stated. "I think we’ll make a run, and I’m confident we will get this thing straightened out."

Stay tuned for what could be a pivotal week for the Jets as they look to bounce back from this tough loss!