Vikings remain close to the top heading into the bye week

No. 2 (no change): NFL staffBleach report

For much of their undefeated start, the Minnesota Vikings were propelled by the best play of Sam Darnold’s career. On Sunday in London, the seventh-year veteran had easily his worst game of the season: just 14 completions on 31 attempts for 179 yards with an interception.

It didn’t matter. Because as good teams often do, when one facet of the game falters, another steps in to pick up the slack.

For the Vikings in Week 5, it was the defense that saved the day. The Vikings picked off Aaron Rodgers three times on Sunday – including the first time Rodgers has ever been intercepted twice in the first quarter. One of those interceptions was returned 63 yards for a touchdown by edge rusher Andrew Van Ginkel – his second pick-six of the season.

On a day when the Vikings lost the lead with running back Aaron Jones to a hip injury, Minnesota gained just 82 yards on 30 carries and Darnold struggled, Minnesota pinning Rodgers and the Jets. New York had just 254 yards of offense, turned the ball over three times and was held to five third-down conversions in 17 attempts.

Now the Vikings enter their off week in a position no one expected – as the only undefeated team in the NFC, and a team at the top of the Bleacher Report NFL Power Rankings.

“After five weeks, it’s OK for everyone to start believing in the Vikings,” Sobleski said (Bleacher Report NFL analyst Brent). “More importantly, Sam Darnold had his worst game of the year, and the team still won. If the quarterback doesn’t perform well and his team still finds a way to victory, it’s officially a good all-around team. Darnold will bounce back. The Jets have a good defense, and this particular game had the extenuating circumstances of being played in London. A bye week comes at the perfect time, as the Vikings now have two weeks to prepare for the rival Detroit Lions.