Even though I love all five teams heading to the UK equally, of course, the powers-that-be have asked me to come up with a 2024 London Games team. I was tasked with picking a quarterback, running back, two receivers, a tight end, an offensive line, a defense and a kicker. Given their red-hot start as one of just two undefeated teams in the league, the Minnesota Vikings feature prominently on my squad. Skol!
QUARTERBACK – SAM DARNOLD, MINNESOTA VIKINGS
What a strange NFL world we are living in! Who would have thought that I would be selecting Sam Darnold ahead of Aaron Rodgers, Trevor Lawrence and another first overall pick in Caleb Williams? On his fourth NFL team, Darnold looks in the perfect situation and he is playing the best ball of his career as he leads the NFL with 11 touchdown passes. It is not a stretch to say he looks elite and is in NFL Most Valuable Player form.
RUNNING BACK – AARON JONES, MINNESOTA VIKINGS
I really like how Breece Hall and Travis Etienne Jr. play the position, but it’s hard to ignore the early-season form of Aaron Jones, who is flourishing in his first month with the Vikings after seven years with the Green Bay Packers. Jones is making plays on the ground and through the air and is a big reason that Minnesota are off to a 4-0 start.
WIDE RECEIVER – JUSTIN JEFFERSON, MINNESOTA VIKINGS
Justin Jefferson became the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history during the offseason but there will be no resting on his laurels from this humble superstar. I love how Jefferson plays the game and is a team-first player. He has scored a touchdown in each of Minnesota’s four wins to date and his 97-yard catch and run against San Francisco was a joy to witness in person. J.J. is also willing to block for others on running plays. He really has become the leading receiver in the NFL today. Another London ‘Griddy’ anyone?
WIDE RECEIVER – D.J. MOORE, CHICAGO BEARS
Garrett Wilson has flashed some early-season moments for the New York Jets and Brian Thomas Jr. has been explosive for Jacksonville, averaging more than 16 yards per catch. But I’m going with the proven pedigree of Chicago’s D.J. Moore, who produced an excellent back-of-the-end-zone touchdown catch from Caleb Williams in last week’s win over the L.A. Rams. Moore is a 1,400-yard receiver and an elite target for his rookie QB. He remains vital to Chicago’s playoff chances in 2024.
TIGHT END – EVAN ENGRAM, JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
As he recovers from the hamstring injury that has affected his season so far and limited him to just one appearance, Evan Engram is a class apart at the tight end position. The Pro Bowler grabbed a team-leading 114 passes in 2023, emphasising his importance to the Jags. Evan is one of my favourites so I’m rooting for him and hope to see him enjoy very good back-to-back outings in London on October 13 and 20.
OFFENSIVE LINE – MINNESOTA VIKINGS
The Vikings have a veteran group up front that has great experience together… and it shows. Some of Sam Darnold’s prettiest throws this season have come from a clean pocket with him being afforded plenty of time to throw. And on the ground, this line is opening up holes for Minnesota to average a healthy 4.4 yards per rush.
DEFENSE – MINNESOTA VIKINGS
New York’s Gang Green defense always plays so tough under Robert Saleh and gives the Jets a chance to hang around in almost every game, but Brian Flores’ players have been among the biggest stars of this young season. The Vikings lead the NFL with 17 sacks and an incredible 77 quarterback pressures. They also regularly take the ball away. Edge rushers drop into coverage, safeties rush the quarterback, cornerbacks play safety and safeties play corner. It’s all going on and it’s virtually impossible to figure out!
KICKER – WILL REICHARD, MINNESOTA VIKINGS
Minnesota’s rookie kicker has yet to miss a kick in his NFL career. Let’s hope this article doesn’t put the jinx on him. Will Reichard has landed six of six field goals with a long of 58 yards and has successfully converted all 14 of his extra point attempts. You can’t ask for more than that!
