In a rollercoaster game at U.S. Bank Stadium, the Minnesota Vikings (5-5, 1-1 NFC North) escaped with a 34-31 win over the Green Bay Packers (8-3, 2-1 NFC North) to steal a game in the NFC North and improve to .500 on the year.
The Packers were the first to get a shot at things and started off hot. On the first play of the game, the Vikings seemingly forgot about Packers’ star wide receiver Davante Adams, and he and quarterback Aaron Rodgers connected for a 37-yard gain. However, the exciting start wasn’t enough, and the Packers were forced to settle for a field goal after two incomplete passes intended for wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling were incomplete. Kicker Mason Crosby’s 54-yard field goal was good, and the Packers took an early 3-0 lead.
The Vikings responded with an eerily similar drive to open up their scoring front. On 3rd and 6, quarterback Kirk Cousins connected with his star wide receiver, Justin Jefferson, for a 43-yard gain to move the chains and bring the Vikings to the edge of the red zone. However, it wasn’t enough to find the end zone after Green Bay linebacker Preston Smith sacked Cousins for a loss of 10 yards on 3rd and 5. The Vikings would also have to settle for a field goal and their 51-yard attempt was good to tie the game at 3-3.
Looking to take the lead, the Packers looked to get settled on offense. On 2nd and 6, a defensive holding penalty gifted Green Bay with 5 yards and the automatic first down to help get things started. Then, on 2nd and 6, Rodgers connected with running back AJ Dillon for a 13-yard pass and a first down. On 3rd and 9, Rodgers held onto the ball in the pocket for too long and was sacked for a loss of 5 yards and fumbled on the play. Luckily, he was able to fall on top of it, but Green Bay was still forced to punt it away.
Unlike Green Bay, Minnesota started to find something offensively on their next drive. On 3rd and 4, Cousins connected with wide receiver Adam Thielen for an 18-yard gain and a first down. Then, on 2nd and 7, Cousins looked downfield to Jefferson again and the results were catastrophic for the Packers. Jefferson came up with a huge 56-yard reception and was downed at the 1-yard line. After that, Vikings’ running back Dalvin Cook rushed up the middle for 1-yard and the touchdown. The extra point, however, was no good, so the Vikings only took a 9-3 lead.
To start the second quarter, on 3rd and 12, the Rodgers to MVS deep ball finally worked for the Packers and they produced a 39-yard pass play to move the chains for Green Bay. After that, on 2nd and 8, Rodgers connected with Adams for 8-yards and a first down to move the Packers into the red zone. But, the Packers continued to struggle in the red zone and failed to find the end zone after back-to-back incomplete passes to MVS. Green Bay looked to Crosby for a 32-yard field goal, but his kick bounced off the left upright and was no good.
Minnesota just kept exposing Green Bay’s defense too. On the opening play of their next drive, they rubbed things in some more after Cousins connected with tight end Tyler Conklin for a 15-yard pickup and the first down. Then, the Packers gifted the Vikings with 37 free yards and a trip to just outside the red zone after safety Darnell Savage Jr. was flagged for defensive pass interference. And, just when it looked like the Packers forced a turnover after Savage came up with an interception, Green Bay was flagged with roughing the passer and the Vikings were gifted 10 more free yards. From there, Cousins connected with Thielen on 3rd and goal for a 10-yard touchdown to take a 16-3 lead.
Both teams would go three and out on their next drives after failing to connect in the pass game.
With the ball back in their hands and just over four minutes left in the half, the Packers finally started to get into a rhythm on offense. On the first play of the drive, Rodgers connected with wide receiver Equanimeous St. Brown for a 17-yard play and a first down. Then, on 3rd and 7, Rodgers connected with wide receiver and known BFF Randall Cobb for 15 yards and a first down to keep the chains moving and bring the Packers to the two-minute warning. To open their two-minute drill, on 2nd and 8, Rodgers connected with tight end Dominque Dafney for 8-yards to keep the chains moving. Then, on 3rd and 5, Rodgers fired one 25-yards downfield to tight end Josiah Deguara for his first career touchdown to cut the Vikings’ lead to 16-10 at the half.
Minnesota had one more opportunity to extend their lead before the half but went three and out.
To open the second half, the Vikings went on a 14-play, soul-sucking touchdown drive that stretched 75 yards and lasted nearly seven minutes (ESPN stats). On the first play, Cousins connected with Conklin for 15-yard to move the chains right out the gate. Then, on 2nd and 3, Cook rushed for 4-yards and the first down. From there, Cook continued to move the chains after first down runs on 3rd and 1, 2nd and 10 and 3rd and 1, respectively. After that, Cousins connected with who else but Justin Jefferson for a 9-yard touchdown and the Vikings extended their lead over the Packers to 23-10.
Green Bay was not going down without a fight though. To open their first offensive drive of the half, Rodgers connected with Adams on 2nd and 7 for 12 yards and a first down. Then, on the next play, 12 connected with 17 again, this time for 17 yards. From there, Rodgers took it himself and scrambled 18 yards for a first down on 2nd and 6 to put the Packers at the Vikings 21. On 1st and 10, EQ continued to get involved and came up with a big 11-yard gain to move the chains. On the next play, Rodgers had allllll day to find a receiver in the end zone and, after it felt like 10 minutes went by, Rodgers found Adams for the 10-yard touchdown to cut the Vikings lead to just 23-17.
From there, the Packers’ defense started to make some much-needed plays. After they gave up another big Jefferson gain off a 21-yard pass play, Smith got to Cousins on 3rd and 10 for a strip sack. The Vikings recovered the fumble but were forced to punt it back to the Packers.
To open the fourth quarter, things got crazy. Green Bay proved they were very much still in this NFC North matchup after embarking on a 12-play, 94-yard touchdown drive that shaved 7:02 (ESPN stats) off the clock. The bad news? Offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins went down with a left knee injury and did not return. NFL Network and NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reported that the Packers fear he tore his ACL but will have an MRI to determine the final diagnosis.
But, just as they have all season, Green Bay proved that when they get hit they can get up and continue to battle. On 3rd and 6, Rodgers connected with Adams for 13-yards and a first down. Then, EQ continued to shine and, on 3rd and 1, produced a 26-yard pass play to push the Packers past midfield. From there, Dillon rushed for 7 yards on 3rd and 1 to keep the drive alive and then Rodgers connected with Adams for an 18-yard touchdown to take a 24-23 lead.
Minnesota was unfazed though. They responded with a touchdown drive of their own that stretched 79 yards and shaved over five minutes off the clock. The Vikings continued to bully the Packers’ secondary, and it wasn’t pretty. Cousins connected with wide receiver K.J. Osborn for a 19-yard play to move the chains. Then, on 2nd and 6, Cousins connected with Jefferson for a 6-yard pickup to move the chains. From there, Cousins found Thelien for back-to-back first down conversions before, once again, looking deep downfield to Jefferson for 23-yards and a touchdown. Minnesota attempted a two-point conversion and got it after Cook rushed untouched into the end zone to extend the Vikings’ lead to 31-24 with 2:17 left.
Hopefully, you didn’t run to the kitchen to get a late-game snack because, in a matter of seconds, the Packers tied the game. On the first play of their next drive, Rodgers looked deep to MVS and the two connected for a 75-yard touchdown to tie the game at 31-31.
With 2:08 left, the Vikings would have a chance not to Vikings and, with a little help a long the way, they were able to survive. On 1st and 5, Cousins threw what was initially ruled an interception by Savage, but the play was reviewed and later reversed after the officials ruled it was not a catch.
To open the two-minute warning, Cook gave the Packers a taste of their own “running backs that can catch” medicine and produced a 19-yard pass play to move the chains for the Vikings. Then, Thielen stepped up and he and Cousins connected for a 26-yard gain. From there, Cook continued to wreak havoc and rushed for 12-yards and a first down to bring Minnesota into the red zone. After that, the Vikings didn’t want to give Rodgers and the Packers another shot and ran out the clock until there were just two seconds left before calling a timeout and attempting a 29-yard field goal to win it. Their attempt was good, and the Vikings beat the Packers 34-31 as time expired.
What we learned: The Packers desperately need the bye week
Is it week 13 yet? The Packers desperately need to make it to the bye week without sustaining any additional injuries than they already have. Losing Jenkins to a possible ACL tear is nightmare city for the Packers and it sucks to watch what feels like the eleventh game in a row that a key player on the roster goes down with a serious injury.
With the Rams coming to Lambeau next week, this beat-up Packers team will have to, once again, find a way to dig deep and win another huge NFC matchup.
What went right: Fourth quarter offense
Not sure why the Packers waited until the fourth quarter to wake up on offense but, when they did, it was really pretty.
With great plays from Adams, Dillon, MVS and EQ to move the chains, it’s further proof that this team is best when they are balancing things and not trying to play hero ball on every play.
What went wrong: Defense
Welcome back, old Packers’ defense. You were not missed.
After several weeks of truly elite play, Green Bay’s defense looked incredibly sluggish on Sunday. I know Justin Jefferson is an extremely gifted player but allowing him to score two touchdowns and drop 169 yards (ESPN stats) on you when you know what he’s capable of dong is pretty disappointing.
Offensive MVP: Davante Adams
Speaking of elite wide receivers, the Packers’ number one guy had a nice showing on Sunday. Davante Adams was certainly the offensive MVP after coming up with 7 receptions for 115 yards and two touchdowns (ESPN stats).
Defensive MVP: Preston Smith
Have a day, Preston Smith! During a week where the Packers’ defense looked poor overall, Smith was one of the few bright spots. He continued to play at a high level this week and provided several game-changing plays for Green Bay. He finished the day with 6 total tackles, 4 of which were solo, 2 sacks, 2 tackles for a loss, and 3 QB hits (ESPN stats).
Up next, the Green Bay Packers return home to Lambeau Field for a matchup with the LA Rams. Kickoff is set for Sunday, November 28 at 4:25 p.m. EST.
Sarah Kelliher is a contributor for CheeseheadTV and a podcaster with Pack-A-Day Podcast. She can be found via Twitter @sarahkelliher4.