Sam Darnold and Aaron Rodgers' football road maps have taken them across America, but the two quarterbacks have had some similar stops along the way.

Both Darnold and Rodgers started their journeys on the West Coast as California natives (Darnold in Dana Point; Rodgers in Chico) who played collegiately in their home state (Darnold at USC; Rodgers at Cal).

Rodgers' NFL career has been nearly linear. He spent 18 seasons in the Midwest with Green Bay before heading due east and becoming a New York Jet in 2023.

Although Darnold has made a couple of stops in between (Carolina and San Francisco) during his seven-year career, his NFL path has also included a Jets uniform (first three seasons) and a current home in the NFC North with Minnesota.

On Sunday, Darnold and the Vikings (4-0) face Rodgers and the Jets (2-2), not in the Twin Cities or the City That Never Sleeps but across the pond in London. Minnesota will "host" the Jets at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to begin this year's slate of International Series of London Games, with kickoff scheduled for 2:30 p.m. in London/8:30 a.m. (CT)

A key factor toward which team walks away with a victory will depend on Darnold's and Rodgers' success against the opposing defense.

Darnold has played at an MVP level so far in 2024, leading the NFL in touchdown passes (11) and passer rating (118.9), and is third in ESPN's quarterback rating (73.5) and ninth in passing yards (932). His completion percentage of 68.9 is a career-high, and he only trails San Francisco's Brock Purdy in yards per completion (8.8 for Darnold, 9.3 for Purdy).

The Vikings quarterback also became the only NFL QB in the Super Bowl era to begin the season with four straight wins and throw two or more touchdowns in each game. He also became the sixth different quarterback to record two-plus touchdown passes and have a passer rating of 105 or higher in each of his team's first four games, joining Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Matt Ryan, Russell Wilson and Rodgers.

Darnold's hot September also earned him NFC Offensive Player of the Month honors, the NFL announced on Thursday.

Despite his team's record, Rodgers has also had some solid moments this season. According to Pro Football Focus' Dalton Wasserman, through the first three weeks, Rodgers was one of only three qualified quarterbacks in the NFL to have zero turnover-worthy plays and the first Jets QB in PFF history to do so.

Wasserman also noted that through Week 3, Rodgers averaged the third-fastest time to throw in the league at 2.48 seconds and was the only quarterback to record three big-time throws released in less than 2.5 seconds.

The Vikings defense has been extremely tough in 2024, as Minnesota leads the NFL in pressures (62), sacks (17) and passes defensed (32), are tied for first in interceptions (eight) and have the second-highest blitz percentage at 40.8 percent, trailing only Denver (44.1 percent), according to Pro Football Reference. Minnesota also ranks fourth in the NFL in points allowed.

The Jets are right behind the Vikings at No. 5 in points allowed and are second in passing yards allowed per game (128.0), tied for fourth in sacks (14) and tied for second in yards allowed per play (4.4) and passing touchdowns against (2).

Let's see who the experts are picking to win the game:

Jets 19, Vikings 16 – Pete Prisco, CBS Sports

The Vikings are undefeated, and Sam Darnold is playing at an MVP level. But facing this Jets defense will be a real challenge. The Jets offense was lifeless last week in the loss to Denver, and Aaron Rodgers will face a tough test from Minnesota's attacking defense. His line had issues last week and will again here. It's close but low scoring as the Jets take it behind their defense.

Vikings 21, Jets 17 – Staff, Bleacher Report

The Minnesota Vikings are listed as the home team for this matchup, but they'll go on the road with the New York Jets to London for a game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The Jets come into this game frustrated with their 10-9 home loss to the Denver Broncos.

…

[Bleacher Report Betting Strategies' Vince] Michelino sided with Minnesota to remain undefeated and cover.

"We're finally treated to the Sam Darnold Revenge Game we've all been waiting for!" Michelino exclaimed. "OK, maybe it's lost some luster since it's being played across the pond, but it's felt inevitable for quite some time and, oh my, have the tables turned.

"Darnold doesn't just look like a front-runner for Comeback Player of the Year; he looks like a legitimate MVP candidate through four weeks, leading the Vikings to a perfect 4-0 start (4-0 ATS as well) and leading the league with 11 TD passes," Michelino said. "The Vikings also rank first in total DVOA, proving they deserve to rank among the best teams in the NFC.

"Meanwhile, vibes couldn't be worse for the Jets coming off a devastating loss where seemingly everything went wrong," Michelino added. "The entire offense looked out of whack, and Rodgers took a beating. There's also already brewing tensions between he and HC Robert Saleh — not great. While Rodgers has had a ton of success against Minnesota dating back to his days in Green Bay, these aren't your father's Vikings. Nope. They're Sam Darnold's Vikings, and I believe they're destined to cover again."

Vikings 20, Jets 17 – Bill Bender, Sporting News

The Vikings know Aaron Rodgers well from his time with the Packers, and they're a perfect 4-0 ATS this season. Sam Darnold has 11 TDs and three interceptions, and he is up against the second-best pass defense in the NFL (128.0 ypg). Who wins that matchup between Justin Jefferson and Sauce Gardner? Rodgers is coming off his worst game of the season, but New York has a chance to spring the upset here. The Vikings still remain the safe pick as long as Darnold stays hot.

Jets 20, Vikings 17 – Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News

The Vikings are sizzling at 4-0 and living off a lot of takeaways to facilitate the efficient play of Sam Darnold. The former Jets QB isn't seeing ghosts anymore, but across the pond, he will face the fog of a tough Jets defense. Aaron Rodgers will do a better job of protecting himself and the ball against his old NFC North rivals. This also will be a key rebound game for Breece Hall, Braelon Allen, and the running game in a defensive-minded escape.

4 of 6 experts pick the Vikings, The MMQB

9 of 11 experts pick the Vikings, ESPN

7 of 8 experts pick the Vikings, Bleacher Report

8 of 9 experts pick the Vikings, The Athletic

Check out the Vikings 2024 Bye Week.