The Green Bay Packers accomplished their mission in Week 12 to take down the Minnesota Vikings at Lambeau Field. It was a joint effort for the team’s offense and defense, with Green Bay not giving JJ McCarthy and the Vikings’ attack much breathing room to operate. McCarthy was intercepted twice and sacked five times for a loss of 35 yards.
When the Packers had the ball, they mostly let their ground attack do the work — and that’s despite missing the services of star running back Josh Jacobs, who was inactive due to a knee issue.
Without Jacobs, Green Bay still felt confident in its ground game, thanks to the presence of Emanuel Wilson, who played the temporary role of being the alpha of the running back room versus the Vikings.
Wilson excellent as the Packers’ RB1 against Vikings in Week 12
Green Bay Packers running back Emanuel Wilson (23) is tripped up during the third quarter of their game against the Minnesota Vikings Sunday, November 23, 2025 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
The 26-year-old Wilson, who is in his third season in the NFL, rushed 28 times for 107 rushing yards and two touchdowns opposite Minnesota’s defense., He also added 18 receiving yards on two catches and two targets in Green Bay’s passing attack.
It was a memorable performance for Wilson also because he had not drawn a start in years before assuming that role on Sunday.
“I just kept it the same,” Wilson said of his approach as Jacobs’ placeholder, per the Associated Press (h/tESPN). “I approached it today just like it’s another game. This is my first start since college, so I just tried to go out there and take advantage of it.”
For someone who played college football at a Division II school before going undrafted at the 2023 NFL Draft, Wilson, a product of Fort Valley State program, deserves all the praise and attention he’s getting following his performance in Week 12. He could be back being Green Bay’s backup RB in Week 13 should Jacobs return, but there’s no denying that he’s made his mark on the team.
Green Bay running back Emanuel Wilson (23) runs the ball against the Vikings on Sunday, November 23, 2025, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis.
Tork Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
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