The Green Bay Packers scored three touchdowns in the second half and 15 points in the fourth quarter but were unable to overcome deficits of 20-3 and 27-10 in a 27-25 loss to the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
The Packers are now 11-5 entering the final week of the 2024 season, while the Vikings are 14-2 and preparing for a showdown with the Detroit Lions that will determine both the NFC North winner and No. 1 seed in the NFC.
All five of the Packers’ losses this season came against the Vikings, Lions and Philadelphia Eagles, the three teams with the best records in the NFC.
Here’s what went right, what went wrong and what it means for the Packers moving forward:
What went right
— The Packers overcame an early giveaway, got a big defensive stop and eventually drove for a field goal to take an early 3-0 lead.
— After the Vikings missed a 43-yard field goal in the fourth quarter, the Packers went touchdown-stop-touchdown to get back into the game. The offense drove 67 yards and 62 yards for touchdowns and the defense delivered a quick three-and-out.
— Carrington Valentine intercepted Sam Darnold in the third quarter, and Josh Jacobs scored a rushing touchdown for the seventh consecutive game.
— The Packers offense actually finished 8-for-14 on third down against one of the NFL’s best third down defenses. Four of the conversions came on the final two drives.
— The Packers held the Vikings to just 69 rushing yards on 26 attempts (2.7 per attempt). Aaron Jones managed just 47 yards on 12 carries.
— Linebacker Edgerrin Cooper produced a season-high four tackles for loss. He wasn’t perfect but he made big play after big play.
— Vikings kicker Will Reichard missed two field goals — one from 57, another from 43 — and the Packers scored points after each miss. Reichard had a third miss negated by a highly questionable offsides call before the half.
— Karl Brooks had a sack, and he also recovered a fumble after Carrington Valentine’s interception.
— Tucker Kraft, Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks all had a catch of at least 18 yards on the final two drives, and Bo Melton converted a third down with a contested 13-yard catch.
What went wrong
— Sam Darnold dropped back to pass 43 times and was sacked just once. The Packers finished with only four quarterback hits. Pressure wasn’t nearly good enough, and Darnold ended up completing 33 passes for a career-high 379 yards.
— Four different Vikings pass-catchers had at least 60 receiving yards, and all four had a catch of at least 20 yards. Minnesota’s passing game tore apart Green Bay’s injury-depleted secondary.
— Josh Jacobs fumbled inside Minnesota territory on the opening drive. Turnovers after winning the toss and taking the ball are especially damaging.
— Jordan Love and the Packers passing game had only 64 total yards through the first three quarters. Love was pressured frequently and receivers dropped at least three passes. The passing game wasn’t good enough early on and played a big role in the Packers trailing big entering the fourth.
— Jayden Reed dropped a fourth-down conversion deep in Vikings territory. Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks also failed to make what could have been big catches in various spots.
— The Packers finished with seven penalties, including several ill-timed infractions. A questionable offsides call on Edgerrin Cooper helped hand the Vikings three points, and a few procedural penalties wiped out first down gains on offense.
— Cam Akers caught a touchdown pass on a wide open screen play and ended the game with a tumbling catch on third down with under two minutes to go.
What it means
The Packers missed their final opportunity to beat one of the NFC’s best teams during the regular season and will now be either the No. 6 or No. 7 seed in the playoff field. That means the Packers will either go on the road to play the NFC West or South winner OR go on the road to play the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Wild Card Round. The Packers believe they can beat one of the NFC’s top teams, but the results suggest they are a tier below the Vikings, Eagles and Detroit Lions.
Highlights
What’s next
A visit from the Chicago Bears in the season finale. The Bears have lost 10 straight games and haven’t won at Lambeau Field since 2015. The Packers need to get healthy at some key spots, get back on track on offense against a team that just gave up only six points to the Seattle Seahawks and take care of business at home. Finishing 12-5 with a win over the Bears entering the postseason is now the best-case scenario.