Vikings' 4-0 record 'means nothing' compared to Jets in London, says Kevin O'Connell

The Minnesota Vikings are undefeated so far this season — and they’ve never lost a cross country game in franchise history.

However, don’t tell coach Kevin O’Connell.

“Many people have seen our beginning,” he said. “As I tell our guys every time I get in front of them, that doesn’t mean anything.”

The Vikings (4-0) arrive in London on Friday and will look to improve their overall record when they face off Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets (2-2) on Sunday at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

“We have to come out for four quarters this week and re-establish ourselves – who we are, our style of play, our philosophy of football – it has to be re-established all week,” O’Connell said. “That’s how you always win in this league.”

The team had “a chip on our shoulder from the start of the season,” he added.

The Vikings are 3-0 in regular season games played abroad – all in London.

As planned, two-time Pro Bowler TJ Hockenson returned Friday after the team opened his practice window. He tore his ACL and MCL in his right knee on Dec. 24 in the Vikings’ Week 16 game last season.

“It was good, honestly, to see him in that helmet, to see him run, to be with the team, it’s good,” star receiver Justin Jefferson said. “Seeing him happy running and being with the team again, I can’t wait until he’s back full time with us. That’s another way we’re going to add to our case.”

Hockenson, who began the season on the physically unable to perform list, will have 21 days to continue his recovery before the Vikings place him on the active roster. He was limited in practice and officially withdrew from Sunday’s game.

O’Connell said Hockenson “looks really good.”

Blazin’ 5: Vikings (-2.5) win, Saints cover (+5.5), Steelers (-3) win in Week 5

Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold says revenge is not on his mind against his former team.

“I’m not going to say that, as I’m very far from the Jets organization,” he said of the team that drafted him third overall in 2018.

He’ll likely greet several former teammates — defensive end Quinnen Williams, linebacker CJ Mosley, safety Ashtyn Davis and long snapper Thomas Hennessy are the only players left from Darnold’s final Jets team in 2020 — and some of New York’s backroom staff.

Besides, for me, it’s a great opportunity to play hard football,” he said.

Besides, Darnold has beaten the Jets before. At the start of the 2021 season, after being traded in the offseason to Carolina, he led the Panthers to a 19-14 victory over the Jets.

It is reported by the Associated Press.

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