Packers Limp into Playoffs as Vikings End Season on High Note

It was a tale of two different trajectories at U.S. Bank Stadium on Sunday. The Minnesota Vikings, with nothing but pride on the line, played like a team hitting its stride, while the Green Bay Packers, supposedly gearing up for a postseason run, looked like a team running out of gas.

In a Week 18 matchup that felt more like a preseason exhibition for one side and a statement game for the other, the Vikings secured a 16-3 victory, handing Green Bay its fourth consecutive loss. While the scoreboard might not reflect an instant classic, the implications for both franchises heading into the offseason and the postseason are significant.

Here are the biggest takeaways from the regular-season finale.

The Packers have lost their momentum at the worst possible time

There is a difference between resting starters and sleepwalking into the playoffs, and Matt LaFleur’s squad is dangerously close to the latter. By sitting Jordan Love, Josh Jacobs and key defensive pieces, the Packers made it clear that health was the priority over rhythm. But after losing three straight games prior to Sunday, a fourth loss does nothing to instill confidence in a locker room preparing for a road playoff game.

The offense, led by backup Clayton Tune, was anemic. Tune, making just his second career start, struggled to move the chains, and the unit managed a paltry 12 yards of total offense in the first half. While no one expected an offensive explosion without Love, the complete lack of execution from the depth players is concerning. Momentum in the NFL is real, and Green Bay is entering the Wild Card round cold, winless in a month, and relying entirely on a “flip the switch” mentality that rarely works in January.

J.J. McCarthy gives Minnesota hope for the future

In a season defined by quarterback questions, J.J. McCarthy offered Vikings fans a glimpse of clarity. The rookie wasn’t asked to do too much against a vanilla Packers defensive scheme, but what he did, he did well.

McCarthy showed poise, particularly in the two-minute drill at the end of the first half that resulted in a C.J. Ham touchdown. He found Justin Jefferson for key gains—pushing the superstar receiver over 1,000 yards for the fifth straight season—and avoided the catastrophic mistakes that often plague young quarterbacks.

While he left the game with a hand injury (a situation worth monitoring as the offseason begins), his performance during Minnesota’s season-ending four-game winning streak suggests the Vikings might have their answer under center. For a team missing the playoffs, finishing 9-8 with a rookie showing promise is a massive moral victory.

The “Preseason” feel exposed Green Bay’s depth issues

If Sunday was an audition for the bottom of the Packers’ roster, few callbacks will be made. The offensive line depth crumbled against Brian Flores’ aggressive blitz packages, allowing Tune to be sacked and harassed constantly. Defensively, while the backups held their own early, they eventually wore down against a motivated Vikings attack.

Injuries are inevitable in the postseason. If Green Bay suffers an injury to a key starter next week against either Chicago or Philadelphia, the drop-off in talent appears steep. The inability of the backups to compete fundamentally against Minnesota poses a serious question about the roster construction beyond the starting 22.

C.J. Ham gets his moment

Football is a business, but it still has room for sentimentality. Fullback C.J. Ham, potentially playing in his final game, provided the emotional high point of the afternoon. When McCarthy handed him the ball at the goal line, the entire stadium seemed to know what was coming.

His touchdown wasn’t just six points; it was a salute to a dying breed of player and a consummate professional. The television cameras catching his family’s emotional reaction in the stands served as a reminder of the human element in a violent game. It was a perfect send-off for a player who has done the dirty work for years without complaint.

The NFC North gap is closing

Looking at the big picture, this game highlighted how competitive the NFC North has become. The Vikings, despite missing the postseason, finished with a winning record. The Packers are in the playoffs but look vulnerable. With the Lions and Bears also in the mix, this division is turning into a gauntlet.

For Minnesota, ending the season by sweeping the final month including a win over their bitter rival changes the narrative of the offseason. They aren’t rebuilding; they are retooling. For Green Bay, the focus shifts immediately to survival. They have six days to rediscover the team that looked like a contender in November, or their playoff run will be shorter than their stay in Minneapolis.