Jump to a matchupNew York Jets (2–2) vs. Minnesota Vikings (4–0) at LondonBaltimore Ravens (2–2) at Cincinnati Bengals (1–3)Buffalo Bills (3–1) at Houston Texans (3–1)Dallas Cowboys (2–2) at Pittsburgh Steelers (3–1)New Orleans Saints (2–2) at Kansas City Chiefs (4–0)
Football fans in the United Kingdom will be treated to a game on Sunday that might feature the MVP front-runner in the NFL this season.
No, Aaron Rodgers isn’t on track to win his fifth career MVP, but perhaps that changes if he leads the New York Jets to an upset win against Sam Darnold’s undefeated Minnesota Vikings when they clash at London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The Vikings have been regulars in our best games of the week story because they continue to beat the best teams in the NFL. Not many gave them credit for beating the New York Giants in Week 1, but they have defeated the San Francisco 49ers, Houston Texans and Green Bay Packers in the past three games.
Darnold might want this week’s game the most because he spent the first three seasons of his career with the Jets, where he played poorly behind a dismal supporting cast. Stefon Diggs could also want revenge when his Houston Texans face his old team, the Buffalo Bills, on Sunday.
The New Orleans Saints started hot this season, but have cooled off with a two-game losing streak. Not many are picking them in Week 5 to beat the other undefeated team in the league, the Kansas City Chiefs. But the Saints might be arriving at Arrowhead Stadium at the right time because the Chiefs will be playing without Rashee Rice, Isiah Pacheco and Marquise “Hollywood” Brown.
We will also be keeping tabs on the Dallas Cowboys vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the Baltimore Ravens vs. Cincinnati Bengals. Here’s everything you need to know about the five best games of Week 5, including Gilberto Manzano’s key matchups, Matt Verderame’s key stats, Michael Fabiano’s who to start and who to sit in fantasy, Jennifer Piacenti’s best bets and Conor Orr’s prediction for each game.
Start ’em/Sit ’em | MMQB Staff Picks | NFL Betting Picks
Sunday
When/TV: 9:30 a.m. ET, NFLN
Spread: Vikings -2.5 (over/under 40)
Matchup to watch: Jets WR Garrett Wilson vs. Vikings’ secondary. Wilson recently called out his offense for lacking creativity in how to get him the ball. Wilson hasn’t had a game with more than 60 yards receiving this season. Expect Rodgers to look his way often, but that could present issues against Minnesota’s advantageous defense. —
Key stat: The Vikings have gotten plenty of chunk plays in the passing game, ranking second at 8.8 yards per attempt. However, the Jets’ defense has been stingy in this regard, tied for second-best at 5.6 YPA allowed. —
Start ’em/sit ’em: Wilson has not met expectations after four weeks, averaging just 10.9 fantasy points. The good news is that Wilson has a great matchup across the pond this week against the Vikings. Their defense has allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to enemy perimeter receivers, and Wilson is due to have a big fantasy performance. —
Best bet: Jets +2.5. The Jets are in a better spot across the pond. The Vikings have allowed the most passing yards (1,188) and passing completions (109) with six passing touchdowns through the first four games. Rodgers should be able to feast. On the other side, the Jets have allowed just 663 passing yards and 66 completions and an average of just 5.58 yards per attempt to opposing passers. —
SI’s pick:I picked the Jets in an upset special. Here’s the thing about the London game. It’s still such an inexact science, Jets owner Woody Johnson lived there as a U.S. Ambassador and maybe, somehow, someway, there is some sort of small built-in advantage. I don’t think it’s an overreaction to say this is the defining game plan of the season for both of the Jets’ coordinators, but they have played well against great teams sans Rodgers (think: Chiefs and Eagles last year) and the Vikings are not going to be perfect forever. —
