First look: Jets vs. Vikings NFL Week 5 prediction, odds and best bet for NFL London Game

The New York Jets and Minnesota Vikings will hit the road (err…ocean) for their NFL Week 5 matchup in London, England.

The Jets will try to regroup after losing a home game to the Denver Broncos as 8-point favorites.

On the other hand, the Vikings will try to keep rolling after storming into Lambeau Field and blowing the doors of the Packers in the first half en route to their fourth win in four games.

According to the NFL Week 5 odds, Minnesota (4-0 SU, 4-0 ATS) is favored by 2.5 points over the Jets (2-2 SU, 2-2 ATS). The game kicks off at 9:30 a.m. ET on Sunday at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Jets vs. Vikings predictions and best bets to make for NFL London game

• Vikings -2.5 (-110 at BetMGM Sportsbook)
• Under 41 points (-110 at Caesars Sportsbook)

How many good teams do the Vikings have to beat before sports bettors start to believe?

Minnesota has knocked off three games against teams that won playoff games last season.

While the first two of those wins came at home against the San Francisco 49ers and the Houston Texans, the latest one came on the road against NFC North rival Green Bay.

The Vikings hit the Packers hard early and then held on late to win as 2.5-point underdogs.

Mostly left for dead when the season began because of its shaky quarterback situation, Minnesota has erupted behind Sam Darnold to start 4-0.

The Jets had some good moments in Weeks 2 and 3, but Sunday’s home Week 4 loss to the Broncos was a huge downer.

Does New York have the consistency and upside to keep up with the Vikings in London? Maybe, but it’s much easier to trust Minnesota to cover the 2.5-point spread.

As great as Darnold and the offense have been, the Vikings’ defense has been better.

Minnesota has allowed 14.8 points per game, which ranks fifth in the league.

The Vikings have been giving up yards at a below-average rate, but they have recovered well enough on those possessions to limit opponents from scoring.

The Jets are strong on defense, too, having given up only one touchdown in the last nine quarters.

The Vikings are 3-1 to the Under, while the Jets are 2-1-1 to the Under.

NFL Week 5 Jets vs. Vikings odds

The look-ahead line for this game had the Jets favored by 2.5 points, but that has completely flipped to Minnesota being a 2.5-point favorite.

The Vikings’ 4-0 start is a big reason why. Plus, this game will be played on a neutral field.

The over/under is 41 points at most of the top online sportsbooks. FanDuel Sportsbook lists the total at 40.5 points.

Jets vs. Vikings moneyline odds analysis

Why Minnesota could win as the favorite

Best odds: -140 at bet365 Sportsbook

Minnesota has been in control through the majority of all four games, which has allowed the Vikings to play on their terms.

That was especially the case against the Packers on Sunday, but something changed in the second half.

Green Bay cranked up the tempo in the second half. After gaining 161 yards in the first half with a slower offense, the Packers racked up 304 yards after halftime.

When the offense plays fast, it tires out the pass rushers and slows down the effectiveness of the blitz.

Had the Packers not turned it over twice in the two drives that came after back-to-back touchdown drives, they likely would have won the game due to the uptempo offense.

So if the Jets use that same uptempo approach the Packers did, they can take advantage of the Vikings’ tired defense, right?

Try telling that to Aaron Rodgers, who so far has operated one of the slowest offenses in the NFL, thanks in large part to his complex pre-snap cadence.

It has had mixed results to this point, of course, but no matter how much head coach Robert Salah pleads for a faster offense, Rodgers ultimately has control.

Why New York could win as the underdog

Best odds: +128 at FanDuel Sportsbook

The Vikings may be hot, but they are living on the edge in some respects.

They have committed seven turnovers, which is one away from the highest total in the league. They have given up the most passing yards per game in the league.

They have negated that deficiency by getting an average of 2.5 turnovers per game.

If the Jets can play mistake-free, they take away the Vikings’ biggest advantage.

And, if Aaron Rodgers can keep consistent pressure on that Minnesota pass defense, perhaps it will break and give up some big plays. Garrett Wilson, anyone?

If Minnesota is finally forced to play from behind, the old Sam Darnold may come back and he’ll start committing more and more turnovers. That would play right into New York’s hands.