The Green Bay Packers gave up 33 completions and 377 passing yards to quarterback Sam Darnold in Sunday’s 27-25 loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium.
An undermanned Packers pass defense had little to no answers against a talented group of pass-catchers and a quarterback operating a top scheme designed by Kevin O’Connell.
Jeff Hafley’s defense was without cornerback Jaire Alexander, safety Evan Williams and linebacker Quay Walker. Backup safety Zayne Anderson went out for a concussion evaluation and never returned. Darnold savagely picked away at what was left of the carcass.
According to Next Gen Stats, Darnold targeted an open receiver on a season-high 67.4 percent of his passes, and he completed 23 of 27 passes for 257 yards and two touchdowns on passes between the numbers (or the middle of the field). Time after time in big spots, Darnold was able to get the ball over the second level of defenders and to receivers running deep in-breakers.
Four different Vikings pass-catchers produced at least 60 receiving yards, and all four — Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Jalen Nailor and T.J. Hockenson — had a catch of at least 20 yards.
Running back Cam Akers scored a 9-yard touchdown on a screen pass and clinched the win with a tumbling 6-yard catch on third down with under two minutes to go. C.J. Ham’s 13-yard catch to open the Vikings’ final drive helped kill clock. Aaron Jones caught four of five targets.
The pass rush didn’t do enough. Darnold took just one sack and was hit five total times in 43 dropbacks. He consistently navigated in the pocket to elude rushers and find completions.
“You’ve got to get pressure on these guys if they’re going to drop back that many times,” coach Matt LaFleur said. “If you don’t, it’s going to be a long day.”
A week ago, the Packers defense pressured rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler into oblivion in a shutout 34-0 win. On Sunday in Minneapolis, the Packers defense got a big-time wakeup call from one of the NFL’s best passing games.
Surviving the playoff gauntlet requires facing top quarterbacks. The Packers must now get healthy in the defensive backfield and lick their wounds after getting sliced and diced in the regular season’s penultimate game.