On a gusty day in empty Lambeau Field, the Minnesota Vikings took the wind out of the Green Bay Packers sails, handing Head Coach Matt LaFleur his first division loss 28-22 Sunday. The loss drops Green Bay to 5-2 while the Vikings reclaimed some pride in an injury riddled season improving to 2-5.
Both teams had premier play makers deliver, Davante Adams caught three touchdown passes but Minnesota running back Dalvin Cook scored on each of Minnesota’s first four possessions to build an insurmountable 28-14 lead late in the third quarter. Questionable going into the game with a groin injury, Cook left no question about his value to the Vikes with 163 yards on 30 carries and two receptions for 63 more.
With a northwest wind at 23, gusting to 35 miles per hour, both teams used ball control through a strange first half when their only two possessions for each side.
The Packers drove 75 yards in 13 plays to open the game, capping the nearly 8 minute march on a five yard Aaron Rodgers to Adams touchdown. Jace Sternberger kept the drive alive with leaping 13 yard catch on 4th and 1 from the Minnesota 24. The Vikings answered with a 73 yard, 6:14 drive. Cook ripped through a huge hole up the middle to score on a 21 yard burst without getting touched. Green Bay went right back to work with a drive that consumed 8:54 over a season best 15 plays. Another 4th down conversion from Jamaal Williams gained a yard to the 7 and after two penalties, Rodgers connected with a wide open Adams in the left flat for a one yard TD pushing Green Bay to it’s last lead at 14-7. The Vikes then drained the rest of the first half clock with a 67 yard drive, capped by Cook’s one yard run with :31 left in the quarter.
Minnesota grabbed the lead for good to open the third period, thanks to a couple of defensive penalties. Jaire Alexander was flagged for pass interference which brought the ball to the 6 and then Josh Jackson was called for the same infraction in the end zone. Cook finished the drive with his third score, a one yard burst.
After Robert Tonyan chased down a 45 yard bomb in the breeze, the Packers stalled at the Minnesota 37 and four straight incompletions. The 4th and 10 prayer from Rodgers to Equanimeous St. Brown in the end zone got knocked away.
Four plays later, Cook delivered the back breaker. He took a short screen from midfield and forced at least two missed tackles on his way to the 50 yard touchdown catch that gave the Vikings the 28-14 lead.
Back to back holding penalties on Elgton Jenkins and Marcedes Lewis stalled the next Green Bay drive and the defense finally got a stop early in the 4th quarter. On 4th and 9 from the Minnesota 32, Rodgers tried to hit Tonyan but he got bumped by Erik Kendricks and a flag was thrown. After an on-field discussion, referees picked up the laundry and Minnesota took over.
The Packers got it back and drove 74 yards in nine plays with big catches from Malik Taylor for 26 and Sternberger for 27 before Adams pulled down his third touchdown catch of the day in heavy traffic from 7 yards out. Jamaal Williams needed a replay review to have his two point conversion count and the Packers got within 6 with 2:42 to play.
Burning all three timeouts, the Packers forced a punt and had the ball at their 28 with :47 to play. Two short throws to Williams picked up a first down and then Rodgers hit Tonyan for 17 but he was brought down in bounds. By the time the Packers spiked the ball, there were only :12 left. Rodgers rolled to his right but just before he delivered a hail mary to the end zone, he was hit from behind by Ifeadi Odenigbo and the ball rolled forward where it was recovered by Eric Wilson. The play was looked at and ruled a fumble and the day was done.
Afterwards, LaFleur summed up the mistake prone afternoon.
The Packers outgained the Vikings 400-324 but they had no answer for Cook. Kirk Cousins attempted just 14 passes, completing 11 for 160 yards.
Rodgers finished 27 of 41 for 291 yards and three scores. Adams had 7 catches and three touchdowns on 12 targets but for just 53 yards. Williams had 6 receptions for 27 along with 75 yards on 16 carries on the ground. Tonyan had 5 for 79 but the rest of the wide receivers had minimal impact. Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Darius Shepherd, St. Brown and Taylor had just one reception each.
It begged the question about Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline and whether or not the Packers should seek another receiver while Allen Lazard continues to work his way back from injured reserve. LaFleur said he’ll only talk about the guys he has and will try and find ways to get them more involved. Rodgers also addressed the topic.
There appear to be more issues with the Packer defense. They have had a horrible time against two premier backs, Alvin Kamara in New Orleans and now Cook. Missed tackles have been a season long problem. The alarming lack of big plays or takeaways is also forcing the offense to feel like they have to score on every possession.
Playing without Aaron Jones for a second straight game hasn’t helped. He was inactive along with David Bakhtiari for a second straight week.
Now the Packers face the prospect of a short week with a long trip to San Francisco for a game this Thursday night. Needless to say, Levi’s Stadium has not been kind to the team, getting run out in both the regular season and in the NFC Championship game last year.
LaFleur admitted the team didn’t have much juice returning to a quiet Lambeau Field but they must find a way to show more heart than they did on Sunday against a down and out division rival. Will they find or leave that heart in San Francisco in four more days?
