Green Bay Packers (2-2) – Minnesota Vikings (4-0): 29-31
Jordan Love made his return after two weeks of absence, and this return to the game did not come without difficulty. A disastrous first half for the Packers was punctuated by a 28-point advantage for Minnesota midway through the 2nd quarter. A crazy fourth quarter almost saw the Packers pull off an impossible comeback.
Faced with a stifling defense, with a beleaguered offensive line and clumsy receivers, Love (32/54, 389, 4 TD, 3 int) had a roller coaster-like match. The good news for the green and gold, the quarterback did not seem at all bothered by his knee.
Still led by a very efficient Sam Darnold (20/28, 275 yards, 3 TD), Minnesota continues a 4th victory and strikes a big blow in the NFC North by knocking out rival Wisconsin.
Disaster scenario for Green Bay
For this first division match, the Packers, at home, did not expect such a complicated start to the match. Also catastrophic. Quickly led thanks to a connection between Sam Darnold and Jordan Addison at the end of a perfect first possession for the Vikings, the locals quickly grimaced after a missed field goal at mid-distance. The start of a long ordeal. An interception thrown by Love then another missed field goal, nothing is going well in attack. And during this time, the defense is taking on water from all sides. Darnold plays his best game. He finds Josh Oliver, then it's Addison who ends up in the end zone a second time on a reverse run. Three touchdowns in three series. 21-0. The bill is already hefty.
And there’s no question of stopping there. After another interception by Love (on a double error by his receivers), Darnold immediately punished by connecting with Justin Jefferson.
Matt LaFleur without solution, Jordan Love under pressure
Creative and enthusiastic offensively during the last two matches, the Packers forgot their game with the return of their starting pitcher. Matt LaFleur has forgotten his varied games and is incapable of responding to opposing defensive pressure. The Vikings are unleashed. Impervious to the ground, they harass the quarterback who is regularly under pressure and hit during his pass.
It takes a totally botched punt return by Jalen Nailor for Green Bay to be in goal line position and finally unlock their counter thanks to Jayden Reed.
Returning from the locker room, Green Bay's attack is still without solution. Unable to find the keys to the proposed challenge, LaFleur and his men persist with the same results. Two punts, a 4th failed attempt. But the defense adjusted well and regained control against Darnold and others, quickly returning the lead to the attack. Xavier McKinney signing his 4th interception in 4 matches.
So maybe?
The 4th quarter will give birth to a somewhat crazy hope in the wings of Lambeau Field. In a few minutes, the Packers are back in the saddle and begin to believe in a completely crazy comeback. Wicks completes an 89-yard drive. The defense snatches the ball from Darnold. Turnover materialized immediately by Tucker Kraft, who added 2 additional points on the conversion.
Crazy short-lived hope. Two new losses of balls bury Green Bay's last chances. Despite another touchdown in the last minute, once again from Wicks, the Packers fell just 2 points short of being named back of the year. If Narveson hadn't missed his 37-yard field goal…
