The Minnesota Vikings visited the U.K. in Week 5 to take on the New York Jets from Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. This game featured several familiar players from "Gang Green" that fans of the purple and gold know well.
Keeping their momentum going, the Vikings held on against the Jets to win their fifth straight game of the season and remain undefeated. Minnesota's defense stopped a potential game-winning drive by quarterback Aaron Rodgers to get the 23-17 victory.
There were some key players for the Minnesota Vikings who made an impact on the game. Some of that impact was positive while others struggled to make a good impression on the fans across the pond.
3 winners (and 2 losers) from the Vikings in Week 5 win over the Jets
Let's take a look at three winners and two losers from the Minnesota Vikings who made a big impact on the outcome of Sunday's game:
Vikings winner No. 1: Justin Jefferson, wide receiver
When Justin Jefferson wasn't catching footballs, he was drawing the attention of the Jets' defense and generating penalty yardage. New York did everything it could to try to slow him down, but it couldn't contain Minnesota's phenomenal pass catcher.
Jefferson only caught six of his 14 targets, but accounted for a lot of yardage between his 92 receiving yards and all the penalties he drew. Even when he's not griddying in the end zone, he is a terror to opposing defenses.
Vikings loser No. 1: Sam Darnold, quarterback
You have to take the good with the bad regarding Sam Darnold, and the Vikings' quarterback did not have a great outing against the Jets, failing to throw for a single touchdown against the stout New York defense.
Darnold completed 14 of his 31 pass attempts for 179 yards and an interception while also being credited with a lost fumble. The former Jets QB will have the bye week to get back on track before facing the Detroit Lions in Week 7.
Vikings winner No. 2: Andrew Van Ginkel, edge
The Minnesota Vikings' defense has been good but has struggled to be consistent for the entirety of a game recently. However, edge rusher Andrew Van Ginkel is a regular when it comes to making big plays and impacting the outcome of a football game.
Van Ginkel made a fantastic play on an Aaron Rodgers pass in the first quarter. The former Dolphins defender intercepted the throw and returned it 62 yards for a score, taking some pressure off a struggling offense.
Vikings loser No. 2: Brandon Powell, wide receiver
Minnesota nearly had another scary punt return moment. Thankfully, the ball hit a Jets defender before a potential disaster struck. The Vikings were in a position on Sunday where they couldn't afford a huge mistake, and this one involving Brandon Powell and a player blocked into him could have been game-changing.
In addition to the gaffe on special teams, Powell was non-existent on offense. He was not targeted a single time against the Jets, as Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison accounted for every target from quarterback Sam Darnold.
Vikings winner No. 3: Stephon Gilmore, cornerback
The Minnesota Vikings made a big investment in bringing former NFL Defensive Player of the Year Stephon Gilmore to the team this season, and the veteran cornerback has been a big reason the team is having success on defense.
Gilmore finished tied for third on the Vikings in tackles, but it was his game-sealing interception of Aaron Rodgers late in the fourth quarter where he made a great play for the ball that will be replayed as one of the major highlights from the game.