‘Absolute chaos’ – Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets latest victim of perfect Minnesota Vikings and quarterback killer Brian Flores
"Chaos. Absolute chaos. Controlled chaos."
Jonathan Grennard had one thing to say when asked about Brian Flores, the Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator causing chaos in the NFL.
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Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets are just the latest victim of the Vikings who are now 5-0 behind a defense that added three more interceptions and four more sacks to an ever-improving total.
The Jets quarterback endured a nightmare on his second visit to London - picked off for the game's first touchdown, and the pick that ended the game for the Vikings.
There is a reason Minnesota defensive co-ordinator Flores is known as ‘the quarterback killer’ and in a battle of defenses his relentless unit were the strongest on show in a 23-17 win.
In front of a Tottenham Hotspur Stadium full of Vikings fans and a sea of purple, former Green Bay Packers quarterback Rodgers who had won 17 of his 29 starts as a Packer against Minnesota, saw two of his first nine passes picked off.
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Minnesota linebacker Andrew van Ginkel returned his interception 63 yards for his second touchdown of the season, and on the Jets very next drive Rodgers was intercepted again.
Trailing 17-0 at one stage, Rodgers almost led the Jets to an unlikely comeback as they fought back to trail by six with three minutes left.
But having got into the redzone, Rodgers was picked off for a third time as the Vikings iced the game to stay perfect at 5-0, and improve to a perfect 4-0 at their second home in London.
Heading into Week 5, the Vikings led the NFL in hurry-rate and were second in both blitz and pressure ratings.
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Flores has his defense causing chaos, their ability to change is what has kept opposing quarterbacks and playcallers guessing all season.
It was more of the same early on in London.
An impressive 17 sacks put the Vikings defense top of the season standings heading to London, and they racked up another four on Sunday in the rain of London.
Rodgers is 40-years-old, making just his fifth start since coming off an Achilles tear and is a quarterback who famously likes to be unhurried - preferring to throw the ball away rather than get sacked.
The Jets entered the game at 2-2, which seems perfect for a team that never seem more than one play away from chaos or disaster.
They made for a perfect Flores target.
After Rodgers had opened with a three and out the Vikings moved the ball downfield with former Jet Sam Darnold immediately in sync with Justin Jefferson and the result was the first points of the game - a 56-yard field goal.
Jefferson starred on the Vikings opening drive with 34 yards on three receptions after receiver a heroes reception from a stadium usually decked out in lilywhite.
However it was Flores and his impeccable defense which took over to give the Vikings a 10-0 first quarter lead.
After overcoming a scare for Darnold midway through the first quarter, the Vikings looked to be in good position to add a second score of the game only for Ty Chandler’s fumble to hand the Jets a chance to get on the board.
But New York's defense were struggling for any kind of offensive rhythm, so their own impressive defense took over and knocked the ball loose from Chandler to set themselves up for their first points.
However Rodgers was read by van Ginkel and the Vikings linebacker was roared into the endzone.
With a 10-point deficit early, and a deafening crowd raising the pressure levels as high as the Vikings havoc-wreaking defense, Rodgers set to work again, only to be denied.
A pass headed for Allen Lazard was spotted by Cam Bynum, who gave the Flores unit their second interception of the day and the chance to takeover on their own 43-yard line.
Not for the first time over the last few seasons, the Jets defense held out but Rodgers and the offense were stuffed again.
Going for it on fourth down at the 26-yard line, Breece Hall was stopped by a run defense matching the early heroics of their pass defense.
Rodgers had managed only 16 yards of passing offense by the halfway point of the second quarter - but bailed out by the special teams unit, the Jets set the quarterback up to finish the half on a high.
A former Green Bay teammate was on the end of Rodgers final pass of the half, as Lazard eased frustrations to get the Jets first score.
New York has been linked with a move for Las Vegas Raiders Davante Adams who has made it clear he is looking to leave the Raiders.
His partnership with Rodgers in Green Bay was a huge part of the Packers success and a phonecall from Jets general manager Joe Douglas to his Raiders counterpart might not be long in the making.
And while Garret Wilson tallied 92 yards and one touchdown for his best game of the season, the Jets fell to 2-3 with pressure piling on Gang Green.
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For the Vikings, they head into their bye week with five wins, and their first 5-0 start to the season since 2016.
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