There will be stars everywhere you look on Sunday October 6 as the New York Jets take on the Minnesota Vikings at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The 2-2 Jets will be led by a future Hall of Famer at quarterback in Aaron Rodgers, while the attack for the undefeated 4-0 Vikings will be led by another player likely to be in Canton, Ohio, when his career is said and done in wide receiver Justin Jefferson.
Here are some key players to watch in Sunday's game.
Aaron Rodgers – Quarterback – New York Jets
Now in his 20th NFL season, the 10-time Pro Bowl all-star can still attack every inch of the field with his cannon for an arm. Rodgers, 40, showed just how impressive his arm strength still is with a stunning Week 3 touchdown pass to Garrett Wilson. It would have been intercepted if thrown by most mere mortals. Rodgers admits to being "on the last two holes" of his career, to use a golfing analogy. Enjoy watching a legend in London this weekend.
Garrett Wilson – Wide Receiver – New York Jets
New York's number one passing game target is smooth, athletic and hard to cover. Garrett Wilson's relationship with Rodgers is still developing but a third straight 1,000-yard season to start his NFL career is extremely likely. Through four games, Wilson has 191 receiving yards, but don't be surprised if he picks up the pace very soon. This is a complete receiver who is proving worthy of the first-round selection made on him in 2022.
Sauce Gardner – Cornerback – New York Jets
At first glance, you might not consider Ahmad 'Sauce' Gardner among the elite cornerbacks in the NFL. After all, in his first 37 games, he has recorded just two interceptions. The reason? Opposing quarterbacks are scared to throw in his direction so even though he has relatively ordinary statistics, that's because a category has yet to be invented for completely shutting down one side of the field. Sauce – given the nickname as a young child for his feisty play on the football field – is a two-time All-Pro. Best of the best.
Justin Jefferson – Wide Receiver – Minnesota Vikings
It could be best on best at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday as Justin Jefferson takes on Sauce Gardner and the Jets' defense. Jefferson, who has already passed 6,000 receiving yards in just his fifth season, has scored in every game this year so far for the Vikings. Jefferson is off to an historic pace in his NFL career and is on track to be considered one of the greatest to ever play. He is the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history at more than $35 million per year. And he is worth every dollar. Once ranked as the 308th-best high school wide receiver in America, Jefferson is number one in the NFL. Don't be surprised to see him break out his trademark 'Griddy' once again in London if he scores another touchdown.
Sam Darnold – Quarterback – Minnesota Vikings
Now on his fourth NFL team at the age of 27, Sam Darnold is thriving under the tutelage of Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell and leads the NFL with 11 touchdown passes through four weeks of action. Drafted third overall by the New York Jets at the age of 21 in 2018, Darnold was run out of the Big Apple after three years, failed to stick with the Carolina Panthers and spent last season backing up Brock Purdy for the San Francisco 49ers. With rookie first-rounder J.J. McCarthy sidelined with a knee injury, Darnold is not only holding down the fort; he is excelling as one of the best quarterbacks in the league so far this season. What a story!
Andrew Van Ginkel – Linebacker – Minnesota Vikings
Having worked with Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores when the pair were with the Miami Dolphins, Andrew Van Ginkel is a key piece in a defense that confuses and pressures opposing quarterbacks with an array of disguises and versatility. Van Ginkel is a key example of that adaptability as he can play the run, rush the passer and drop into coverage. He can do it all and in the season's first month, Minnesota's newest defender has recorded 18 tackles, three sacks and one interception that was returned for a touchdown.
