Both the New York Jets and Minnesota Vikings have a lot of similarities going into their first meeting in three years on Sunday.

Each team has been a pleasant surprise given how they’ve exceeded preseason expectations, and they also bounced back last week after scoring three points in disappointing losses in their previous games.

Given that, all signs are pointing toward an entertaining matchup when the Jets meet with the Vikings in Minneapolis.

The Jets enter 7-4 following a 31-10 home win over Chicago last week.

After tallying just one field goal in a 10-3 defeat the previous week at New England, Jets coach Robert Saleh benched starter Zach Wilson in favor of backup Mike White.

The decision paid off immediately, as the offense was rejuvenated under White, who threw for 315 yards and three touchdowns in leading the Jets to a season-high 466 yards of total offense.

If White can continue to excel, that would be a great complement to a stout Jets defense that enters fourth in the NFL in points allowed, at 17.8 per game.

The main challenge for New York on Sunday will be trying to slow down Minnesota star wideout Justin Jefferson, who is second in the NFL in receiving yards (1,232) and third in receptions (81).

“I think any player relishes playing against the best,” Saleh said. “We’ve had some great challenges all year. We’ve had Miami’s group, Buffalo’s group, Cincinnati’s group. There’s been a lot of really good receivers we’ve had to go against. It’s another challenge for us. Knowing our secondary, they are ready to take that challenge on.”

The Vikings enter at 9-2 following a 33-26 home win on Thanksgiving night over New England, which was a nice rebound from an awful 40-3 loss at home to Dallas just four days prior.

There might still be six games left in the regular season, but the Vikings can clinch the NFC North title on Sunday with a win and a Detroit loss to Jacksonville.

Minnesota enters producing 23.8 points per game and allowing 23.4.

“We’ve got 11 games of inventory now,” Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell said. “I think we are to the point in the season where you’ve really got to take a long look at what you’ve put on tape schematically (and with) tendencies. How can we maybe tweak and adjust our schemes to try and take advantage of some of the things we’ve put on tape? Maybe things people are game planning against us, while still trying to stay true to who we want to be at our core.”

The Vikings might be without offensive tackle Christian Darrisaw, who missed Wednesday’s practice with a concussion. Harrison Smith was limited with an ankle injury.

Running back Michael Carter (ankle) was one of four Jets who did not practice on Wednesday along with safety Ashtyn Davis (hamstring). Defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins (ankle) was limited.

Minnesota is 3-0 this year against teams from the AFC East, having already won at Miami and Buffalo before beating New England at home.

The Jets have won both of their meetings against NFC North opponents, beating Green Bay on the road in Week 6 before beating Chicago last week.

The Jets lead the all-time series between the teams, 8-3.

–Field Level Media

The Jacksonville Jaguars and host Detroit Lions bring identical records into their matchup on Sunday.

At 4-7, both teams would probably need to run the table to challenge for a playoff spot. Yet in different ways, they each enter the contest with a renewed sense of confidence.

Jacksonville rallied from a nine-point, fourth-quarter deficit to beat the Baltimore Ravens 28-27 last Sunday. Trevor Lawrence hasn’t often resembled a No. 1 overall pick, but he looked like a star in the making during the comeback.

Lawrence led the Jaguars on a 10-play, 75-drive in the final two minutes, culminating with a touchdown pass to Marvin Jones and a two-point conversion toss to Zay Jones.

It’s a much bigger longshot for the Jaguars to go on a winning streak and join the playoff race, but coach Doug Pederson won’t discount that possibility.

“I’ve been around this league a long time. Anything is possible,” Pederson said. “Detroit’s in a situation where they could go on a little run here and affect the outcome of their season too. Yes, we understand that it’s a one-game season, the importance of this game and we’ve got some really good opponents down the stretch here.”

Lawrence passed for a season-high 321 yards and three touchdowns against the Ravens.

“I see a player who’s gotten better, particularly over the last three or four weeks,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said. “That last drive last week was — that was big. Every week I feel like, man, if you’re not careful, he’ll pick you apart.”

The Lions had a three-game winning streak halted in their annual Thanksgiving Day game but earned some national respect in the process. Buffalo, one of the league’s top teams, needed a field goal in the closing seconds to escape with a 28-25 win.

“Oh, it’s turned (the corner),” quarterback Jared Goff said. “We’ve turned and have won three of our last four and felt like we had a good chance to win last week and feel like we can play with anybody. So, yeah, we’re there and certainly a different team than we were earlier in the year and can play with anybody and beat anybody.”

Goff hasn’t thrown an interception over the last three games. He’s thrown 15 touchdown passes compared to three interceptions in six home starts this season.

“The offensive line is really good at protecting Jared,” Pederson said. “He’s done a nice job of distributing the football. They’ve been scoring points. It hasn’t been one of their issues. They’re putting points on the board and (gone on) a little bit of a hot streak recently.”

Jamaal Williams has emerged as a premier goal-line back, scoring an NFL-best 13 touchdowns.

Goff doesn’t feel like the playoffs are out of reach, despite the team’s record.

“Last year, you think about this time last year, and you’re kind of out of it. Just human nature, it’s hard to get going every day,” he said. It’s hard to get yourself ready to go on Sundays and even throughout the week, Wednesday through Friday. Now, we’re in the mix.”

Detroit’s biggest injury concern entering the game is offensive tackle Penei Sewell, who missed Wednesday’s practice due to an ankle injury. The Jaguars top running back, Travis Etienne Jr., was limited in practice on Wednesday due to a foot injury.

–Field Level Media

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson left Wednesday’s practice early after sustaining a quad injury during the session.

Jackson was officially listed as limited, marking the third consecutive week he has appeared on the injury report. He missed the Wednesday practice last week with a hip injury.

A Ravens spokesperson said Jackson left practice early to get treatment from trainers. As a result, Jackson did not meet with reporters after practice as scheduled and will meet with the media Thursday or Friday, the team said.

Jackson has played in all 11 games this season after missing five games with injuries in 2021. Previously, he had missed only one game due to injury in his first 57 games in the NFL. Jackson is 12th in the league in rushing yards with 755. He’s thrown for 2,231 yards and 17 touchdowns against seven interceptions.

The Ravens, 7-4 and coming off a frustrating loss at Jacksonville last week, host the Denver Broncos (3-8) on Sunday.

In addition to Jackson, TE Isaiah Likely (ankle), S Kyle Hamilton (knee) and OT Ronnie Stanley (ankle) were also limited Wednesday. Three players did not participate due to illness — TE Nick Boyle, OT Daniel Faalele and OT Patrick Mekari. Cornerback Marlon Humphrey missed practice with an ankle injury.

–Field Level Media

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers missed Wednesday’s practice with thumb and rib injuries, while Chicago Bears counterpart Justin Fields was limited as he deals with a separated non-throwing shoulder.

Will the pair oppose one another Sunday in Chicago as they did during the Packers’ 27-10 home romp in Week 2?

Things look to be trending that way, but it may not be official until shortly before kickoff at Soldier Field.

What is certain: the Packers (4-8) and Bears (3-9) are reeling as they renew the NFL’s most-contested rivalry.

Green Bay has lost seven of eight, while Chicago enters on a five-game skid, including three losses by one possession.

Given the Packers’ success with Rodgers under center over the past decade-plus, it’s the rare meeting between the teams in which there’s more at stake with draft positioning than playoff seeding.

Still, Green Bay is harboring slim postseason hopes, as well, needing to win out while hoping for help.

“I think we’re always trying to develop and look for opportunities to get some guys in there that you might not know about, but I think right now the focus is 100 percent on winning this football game and doing whatever it takes,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur said.

The Packers have won the past seven games in the series. Their bid to extend the run to eight figures to include Rodgers, as LaFleur said his expectation is for Rodgers to play in Week 13.

Rodgers left in the third quarter of the team’s 40-33 loss at Philadelphia last week with injured ribs. Rodgers, who already had been playing with a broken thumb, said he struggled to breathe and move his upper body.

While the Packers scored in the 30s for just the second time this season, it wasn’t enough as Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts rushed for 157 yards while throwing for 153 more and two touchdowns.

If healthy, Fields, a developing dual threat who rushed for 410 yards from Weeks 9-11, surely would present matchup nightmares for a scuffling Packers defense. Fields has recorded both a passing and rushing touchdown in five straight games, but missed last week’s loss to the New York Jets.

“We’d be foolish not to plan for Justin,” LaFleur said. “Because if you don’t, you will get gutted. That quarterback run game they have is pretty spectacular, and it doesn’t even always show up just in the run game, but just on his ability to drop back and if nothing is there to find a window and an escape lane and make you pay in that regard.”

Fields said he is “feeling better each and every day.”

Bears coach Matt Eberflus announced Wednesday that safety Eddie Jackson (foot) would miss the rest of the season. He was among several Bears injured in the Jets game.

Injuries to offensive linemen Riley Reiff (back) and Larry Borom (ankle/knee) may create an opening for right tackle Alex Leatherwood to make his first start as a Bear.

“We are excited and intrigued to see where it goes because he is a heck of an athlete at that position and we’ll see where it goes from there,” Eberflus said.

–Field Level Media

Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald will not play Sunday due to a high-ankle sprain that could lead to Los Angeles shutting him down for the rest of the season.

Donald, 31, has never missed an NFL game due to injury, meaning the seven-time All-Pro would be sitting for the first time Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks. Donald missed two games in 2017 due to a contract holdout.

“That’s what makes Aaron, Aaron,” McVay said. “He’s unbelievable. I mean to be able to play through that, the toughness, everything that he embodies is what you love about Aaron.”

Donald was injured in the first quarter last week but remained in the game, a 26-10 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.

With a five-game losing streak and a 3-8 overall record, Los Angeles has only one win since Sept. 25. A rash of injuries isn’t helping the Rams’ mood.

Wide receivers Cooper Kupp and Allen Robinson II are on injured reserve, and quarterback Matthew Stafford (concussion) played only two of the team’s four games in November.

McVay said Wednesday it was “safe to say” Stafford, 34, would miss Week 13.

–Field Level Media