On today's show, Andy Herman recaps the Packers' 23-6 win over the Minnesota Vikings, including key takeaways, player of the game, playoff odds, a look ahead to Packers/Lions, and so much more. It's Victory Monday!!!
Micah Parsons led a dominant defense over the Vikings. (Photo: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images, 247Sports)
By Mark Eckel
Veteran Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen dropped a J.J, McCarthy pass on his team's third play of the fourth quarter.
It was one of the Vikings best plays of the second half.
Minnesota lost yards on seven of its 15 plays of the half and McCarthy threw interceptions on two others, as the Green Bay Packers defense dominated its NFC North rival, 23-6, at Lambeau Field, Sunday.
The win snapped a two-game home losing streak for the Packers and moved them to 7-3-1 on the season. While the loss dropped the Vikings to 4-7 and mired then deeper in the NFC North basement.
Playing short-handed on offense, Matt LaFleur ran a conservative offense that saw Jordan Love, playing with an AC joint sprain in his left shoulder according to reports, throw just 21 passes. He let his defense terrorize McCarthy and Co. for most of the day.
For the game, the Vikings managed just 10 first downs, and 145 total yards, allowed five sacks and only scored because kicker Will Reichard was perfect on field goals of 52 and 59 yards. Minnesota never got past its own 35-yard line in the second half.
Emmanuel Wilson, filling in for an injured Josh Jacobs, led the Packers offense with 107 yards rushing and both of the team's touchdowns. It was the team's first 100-yard rushing game of the season.
Love finished 14-for-21 for 139 yards, with five of his passes going to Christian Watson.
Here are the rest of the highlights and lowlights as the Packers moved to 2-0 in the division.
Offensive Hero: Wilson ran hard all day as the majority of his 107 yards came after contact. He also caught two passes for another 18 yards.
Offensive Zero: It's being a little picky, but tight end John Fitzpatrick was called for two false starts, the only two penalties called on the Packers all day.
Defensive Hero: Plenty to choose, but Micah Parsons was dominant again with two sacks to give him 10 on the season. He seemed to have constant pressure on McCarthy all game and was partly responsible for two of the team's other three sacks.
Defensive Zero: Not in this game.
Play(s) of the Game: It has to be on defense. And this one came early. With the score, 7-3, the Vikings had a 3rd-and-1 at the Packers 19-yard line. Linebacker Isaiah McDuffie stuffed a tight-end sneak on third down. Then on 4th-and-1, Kingsley Enagbare stopped old teammate Aaron Jones.
Turning Point: It was 10-6 at the half. The Packers were forced to punt on their first drive of the second half. Returnman Myles Price watched the kick go over his head then tried to block. The ball hit him and was recovered by Zayne Anderson at the 5-yard line. Two plays later Wilson scored to make it 17-6 and that was that.
This and That: Jordan Morgan and Anthony Belton rotated at left guard throughout the game. Backup lineman Darrion Kinnard also got a lot of snaps in the Jumbo Package. … The Packers scored on their opening drive of the game for the third time this season and the first time since the 40-40 tie with Dallas. … Defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt, looking healthy again, had two sacks, while rookie Warren Brinson had his first NFL sack. … Safety Evan Williams recorded his second interception in two weeks and third of the season.
Injuries: Keisean Nixon left with a stinger in the first half and did not return. Love's injury was a result from the hit he took last week in the win over the Giants.
Inactives: Injured cornerback Nate Hobbs (knee) was ruled out Friday. Linebacker Quay Walker (stinger) was listed as doubtful and missed his first game of the season. Running back Josh Jacobs (knee) was listed as questionable and was ruled out just before the natives were announced. Wide receiver Matthew Golden (shoulder) was also listed as questionable. Kicker Lukas Havrisik, offensive lineman Donovan Jennings and linebacker Jamon Johnson were healthy inactives.
Up Next: For the third straight season the Packers will play on Thanksgiving Day when they head to Detroit to face the Lions in a key NFC North battle. Last year the Packers beat Miami, 30-17, Thanksgiving night in Green Bay. Two years ago they beat the Lions, 29-22, in Detroit. The Packers opened the season with a win over the Lions and will look for their first sweep of the series since 2020.
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