No. 2 (no change): NFL Staff, Bleacher Report

For much of their undefeated start, the Minnesota Vikings have been propelled by some of the best play of Sam Darnold’s career. Sunday in London, the seventh-year veteran had easily his worst game of the season — just 14 completions in 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 take 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 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 lead running back Aaron Jones to a hip injury, Minnesota gained just 82 yards on 30 carries and Darnold struggled, Minnesota put the clamps on 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 will head into their off week in a position that no one expected — as the lone undefeated team in the NFC, and a team near the top of the Bleacher Report NFL Power Rankings.

“After five weeks, it’s OK for everyone to start believing in the Vikings,” [Bleacher Report NFL analyst Brent] Sobleski said. “More importantly, Sam Darnold played his worst game of the year, and the team still won. When the quarterback doesn’t perform well yet his squad still finds a path toward victory, it’s officially a good all-around team. Darnold will bounce back. The Jets feature a good defense, and this particular contest 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 prepared for the rival Detroit Lions.”