The Minnesota Vikings came out on top in an NFC North battle with the Packers which ended much closer than it should have. The Vikings were leading 27-10 with 7 minutes left in the game but they ended up squeaking out a 27-25 victory to move to 14-2 on the season.
A Whole Lot Of Nothing
The Minnesota Vikings defense forced a fumble on Green Bay’s first offensive drive. The Vikings offense settled for a punt that pinned the Packers deep in their territory. On the following drive, the Minnesota defense forced a 3-and-out, and the Packers punted. The Vikings were moving the ball on their next until a couple of incompletions stalled the drive. They chose to send out Will Reichard for a 57-yard field goal attempt. Unfortunately, he was just short as he hit the crossbar and missed.
The Flood Gates Began To Open
Green Bay’s following drive had them moving down the field with a vengeance. There was a questionable low block call on Harrison Smith to extend the drive. The Packers settled for a field goal after a goal-line stand by the Minnesota Vikings. The Packers led 3-0 with 2 minutes left in the 1st quarter. Aaron Jones got things going in the run game for the Vikings on their next offensive drive.
Sam Darnold found Jordan Addison for a few completions. However, Jalen Nailor got wide-open for a 31-yard TD pass from Darnold. Reichard made the extra point and the Minnesota Vikings led 7-3 with just under 12 minutes left in the half.
Minnesota Vikings Get Close To Another Touchdown But Settle for a Field Goal
Darnold got big completions to Hockenson and Nailor. There was also a big pass interference call on Keisean Nixon that extended the Minnesota Vikings drive. Reichard nailed a short field goal attempt after Darnold overthrew Jefferson in the endzone. The Vikings led 10-3 with just over 2 minutes left in the first half.
Packers Start Moving The Ball But Stall, Packers’ Penalty Helps Vikings Make a Field Goal
The Packers were moving the ball against the Vikings until an illegal formation penalty against a Packers WR stalled the drive. The Minnesota Vikings got a huge completion from Darnold to Hockenson. Sam Darnold took a big sack that moved the Vikings out of field goal range. The Packers got an offsides penalty so the Vikings got another chance at a field goal after Reichard missed the 55-yard field goal attempt. The Packers took a timeout to try to ice Reichard but then he made the 50-yard attempt. The Vikings led 13-3 going into halftime.
The Vikings’ Offense Starts the Second Half With a Quick TD Drive, and Green Bay Forces the First Turnover
Darnold got completions to Nailor and Jefferson. The drive was capped off with a beautiful pass from Darnold to Addison in the endzone. The Minnesota Vikings led 20-3 with just under 10 minutes left in the 3rd quarter. The Vikings defense made a stand and forced a 3-and-out by the Packers. Packers’ punter Whelan was only able to get a 29-yard punt to MIN-30.
The pass protection failed Darnold on the next drive as he got hit hard and threw an INT to Carrington Valentine. The offense was able to take advantage of the turnover as Josh Jacobs ran it into the endzone. The Minnesota Vikings still led 20-10 with just over 5 minutes left in the 3rd quarter.
Vikings’ Offense Recovers From INT As Cam Akers Takes a Screen Pass To the House
Darnold completed longer passes to Aaron Jones, Justin Jefferson, and Addison. Jones had a couple of bigger runs before the Vikings ran a screen to Cam Akers for a TD. After a successful extra point attempt by Reichard, the Vikings led 27-10 with 51 seconds left in the 3rd quarter.
The Packers Move The Ball Until An Illegal Formation Penalty Stalls the Drive
The Packers were able to convert on a third-down attempt and were moving down the field. The Minnesota Vikings defense came up big again and forced the Packers to punt. The Vikings started their next offensive drive hot when Darnold completed a 37-yard pass to Jefferson. However, their drive ultimately stalled out after a run for loss by Ty Chandler and an incomplete pass from Darnold that was intended for Jefferson.
The Minnesota Vikings settled for another field goal attempt, this one being from 43 yards out. Unfortunately, Reichard missed just enough to hit the left upright and the ball bounced away from the uprights.
The Packers Take Advantage Of Missed Field Goal, Get Their Second TD Of Game
The Packers started their next drive at their 33-yard line. After a sack by Blake Cashman, it looked like the Minnesota Vikings were ready to close out the game and have an easy double-digit victory. However, that could not be further from the truth as Jordan Love completed consecutive passes to Bo Melton and Tyler Kraft. This moved them down to the 19-yard line and Josh Jacobs ran it into the endzone for a touchdown. Fortunately for the Vikings, there was an offensive holding penalty called against the Packers and the points were taken off of the board.
Unfortunately for the Vikings, the Packers continued moving the ball down the field and found the endzone. This time it was Emanuel Wilson who found paydirt for the Packers. They chose to go for two and their attempt was successful due to the pass from Love to Romeo Doubs. The Minnesota Vikings still led at this point but it was only 27-18 with just over 6 minutes left in the contest.
Packers Continue Their Comeback Efforts, But Come Up Short
Green Bay’s next drive started well enough for the Minnesota Vikings in that Dallas Turner was able to corral Love for a sack. Love had a couple of connections to Doubs before ultimately connecting with Malik Heath for a touchdown. They were successful on the point after attempt and the score was 27-25 with the Minnesota Vikings hanging on by a thread. The Vikings successfully ran out the clock with a couple of passes, a run by Akers, a pass to Akers, and Darnold knelt the ball three times to get the clock to hit triple zeroes.
Final Thoughts
The Minnesota Vikings came out on top and the Vikings and Lions will be playing for the NFC North crown in next week’s matchup. They will be playing at Ford Field on either the 4th or 5th of January. The 272 game of the regular season will determine the No. 1 seed in the NFC.
