The Green Bay Packers suffered a tough loss at Lambeau Field, falling to the Minnesota Vikings 31-29 in a game that featured both significant struggles and an impressive second half comeback.
A Difficult Start for Green Bay
After trailing 28-0 in the second quarter, the Packers mounted a strong comeback effort, but it ultimately wasn't enough to overcome the early deficit. With the loss, the Packers now have a 2-2 record, while the Vikings improved to 4-0 on their season start in the NFL.
Packers quarterback Jordan Love returned to the field after missing two games due to a knee injury, but his performance was mixed. Love struggled early, throwing several interceptions and missing field goals. He completed 32 of 54 passes for 389 yards, throwing four touchdowns and three interceptions, finishing the game with a passer rating of 83.0.
Despite the mistakes, Love managed to throw four touchdown passes for the first time in his career, contributing significantly to the Packers' comeback attempt.
On the offensive side, wide receiver Jayden Reed had a standout performance, securing seven receptions for 139 yards and a touchdown. Dontayvion Wicks also contributed significantly with five receptions for 78 yards and two touchdowns.
Tucker Kraft had six receptions for 53 yards, scoring a touchdown and securing a crucial two-point conversion late in the game. In the ground game, Josh Jacobs ran the ball nine times for 51 yards, while Emanuel Wilson added eight carries for 27 yards.
Importantly, the Packers' offense managed its longest touchdown series of the season, an 11-play, 89-yard drive that fueled the team's second-half push.
An Impressive Comeback
The Packers' comeback began in the second half, cutting the Vikings' 28-0 lead to 28-22 in the fourth quarter. Two key turnovers by the Vikings helped ignite this comeback: a fumbled punt and a loose ball after a quarterback catch, both of which were converted into touchdowns by the Packers.
Kraft's touchdown, followed by a two-point conversion, brought the Packers closer, and with 56 seconds remaining, Love connected with Wicks for a 17-yard touchdown, cutting the score to 31-29. However, the Vikings recovered the short kickoff, effectively ending Green Bay's hopes of a dramatic win at the end.
For the Vikings, quarterback Sam Darnold had a solid performance, completing 20 of 28 passes for three touchdowns, one interception and a passer rating of 123.4.
Star receiver Justin Jefferson caught six passes for 85 yards and a touchdown, while Jordan Addison caught three passes for 72 yards and also scored a touchdown on a seven-yard ground game. Former Packers running back Aaron Jones led Minnesota's ground attack with 22 carries for 93 yards.
A key moment came late in the fourth quarter when the Vikings extended their lead to 31-22 with a 33-yard field goal, scoring crucial points before the Packers' final scoring drive.
The first half was particularly difficult for the Packers, as they struggled both offensively and defensively. They went into halftime trailing 28-0, missing key opportunities along the way, including a 37-yard field goal attempt and an interception thrown by Love.
Defense Does Not Comply
Meanwhile, the Packers' defense allowed three consecutive touchdown series, including a 29-yard touchdown pass to Jordan Addison and a 14-yard touchdown pass to Justin Jefferson in the second quarter.
Despite these challenges, the Packers defense managed to make some key plays in the second half. Xavier McKinney grabbed his fourth interception of the season in the third quarter, and Keisean Nixon executed a blind-side catch over Darnold in the fourth quarter, setting up a touchdown for Kraft, bringing the Packers closer on the scoreboard.
The defense also came up with a key stop on a fourth-and-one play, giving Green Bay one last chance to advance down the field.
Injuries played a role in the game, with wide receiver Christian Watson and defensive lineman Devonte Wyatt coming off the field with ankle injuries. The Packers also had a 17-yard reception by Romeo Doubs nullified after a review, adding to the frustration.
Turnovers continued to plague the team, as Love threw his third interception of the game on a deep pass into the end zone, and Kraft dropped the ball near the sideline late in the game, costing Green Bay a crucial possession.
The Packers faced key penalties and other missed opportunities throughout the game. A defensive pass interference penalty helped move the Packers to the 23-yard line early in the game, but the series ended with a missed 49-yard field goal attempt.
In the second quarter, they managed to convert a third-and-10 with a 21-yard reception from Kraft, but the series eventually came to a halt.
Four for four. #Skol pic.twitter.com/mOjeo2Pa64
- Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) September 30, 2024
Closing of the Match
Late in the game, a 36-yard pass to Wicks took the Packers deep into Vikings territory, but the series ended with an interception in the end zone, costing them a crucial scoring opportunity that could have changed the momentum of the game.
In the final moments, the Packers orchestrated an 80-yard series in just five plays, highlighted by a 42-yard pass to Reed. Despite his late touchdown, the short kick attempt was recovered by the Vikings, sealing Minnesota's 31-29 victory.
This loss marks a tough setback for the Packers, who now have a 2-2 record. Despite a resilient second half performance, their early struggles proved too difficult to overcome.
The Vikings, now with a 4-0 record, continue to build on their undefeated record, led by a balanced offensive attack and key defensive plays that secured their victory at Lambeau Field.
