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The Green Bay Packers need only one more win to clinch a spot in the NFC playoffs. Just hours after the Washington Commanders lost to the Cleveland Browns, Matt LaFleur’s team annihilated the visiting Minnesota Vikings 41-17 on Sunday at Lambeau Field, setting up the scenario in which a Packers win over the Detroit Lions next week will officially clinch a playoff berth.
The Packers got a 105-yard kickoff return for a touchdown from Keisean Nixon and four takeaways of Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins, including three total interceptions and a 75-yard interception return for a touchdown by Darnell Savage.
The Packers got both return touchdowns in the first quarter and eventually led 27-3 at halftime. A.J. Dillon and Aaron Rodgers ran in touchdowns during the fourth quarter to nail the coffin shut.
The decisive win improves the Packers to 8-8 after 16 games. Green Bay will host the Lions at Lambeau Field next Sunday, and a win in the regular season finale will guarantee the Packers’ spot as the No. 7 seed in the NFC.
LaFleur’s team has won four straight games after starting 4-8. The Commanders kept losing and the Packers kept winning, opening the door for a win streak like this one to get Green Bay back into the playoff hunt.
Since losing in Philadelphia, the Packers have won games against the Chicago Bears, Los Angeles Rams, Miami Dolphins and the Vikings, the NFC North champions.
Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson, who came into the game in range of a 2,000-yard season, finished with just one catch for 15 yards.
The Packers, who avenged a 23-7 Week 1 loss to the Vikings, finished the contest with more first downs, rushing yards and time of possession and fewer penalties and turnovers.
While the Vikings are 12-4, the 8-8 Packers have a decided advantage in point differential (Packers: +3, Vikings: -19) after 16 weeks. Might the two division rivals meet again for the season tiebreaker in the NFC playoffs?