Packers suffer a setback in Minnesota
The Packers fell to 8-3 after their 34-31 road loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday.
The Packers took the opening kickoff and drove down for a field goal. The Vikings answered with one of their own. The Packers were unable to get any offense going until their final drive of the half. They went into halftime trailing 16-10. The Vikings scored to open the second half, but the Packers put together a couple of good drives and led it 24-23 in the fourth quarter. After a touchdown and a 2-point conversion, the Vikings led 31-24. The Packers took only one play to answer back, a 75-yard strike to Marquez Valdes-Scantling. The Vikings used the rest of the time to drive down and kicked the game-winning field goal as time expired.
Thoughts about this game:
The Packers played very well on defense most of the year, especially their last three games, but they took a step back on Sunday. Kirk Cousins is one of the hottest quarterbacks in the league right now.
The Packers had two interceptions of Cousins called back. The first one was wiped out on a penalty for roughing the passer. The second was overturned on replay. The second one really hurts because they went to a commercial break after the play, and when they came back, the announcers showed replays and I’m sure most of us knew they were going to call it incomplete, which they did.
The Packers, one of the least penalized teams this season, sure didn’t look like it on Sunday. It also seemed like every penalty was significant. It either killed their own drives or it helped the Vikings extend theirs. Maybe it’s just one of those games, but that definitely needs to get cleaned up.
As if things weren’t bad enough, Elgton Jenkins’ injury didn’t look good at all. I will be surprised if he doesn’t miss the rest of the season. Meanwhile, Aaron Rodgers is going through his own toe injury, which he calls worse than turf toe. They have one more game until their bye week. Hopefully he can tough it out for one more week.
The bottom line is the Vikings played a more complete game than the Packers. It’s a setback but the Packers are still in good shape. The frustrating thing is the Vikings might have saved their season with this win and the two teams may not be finished playing each other after their meeting in Green Bay later this season.
All is not lost, however. There is a silver lining in all of this. A lot of contending teams lost as well. The Bills and Titans were both upset at home in shocking fashion. The Cowboys laid an egg on offense as they lost 19-9 at Kansas City. Speaking of the Chiefs, they seem to be back. I have a feeling we will hear from them in Jamuary and perhaps February.
Also, shortly after the Packers lost, the Bears thought they were going to survive the Ravens and the loss of Lamar Jackson, but Baltimore scored and ended any thoughts of the Bears celebrating. I know it doesn’t erase what the Packers did, but some of us need all the comfort we can get.
So under Matt LaFleur, the only losses for the Packers within the division have come to the Vikings. It is disappointing for sure, but we cannot allow this to define our season. Let us learn from this loss and work on some things as we get ready for our next game, which is at home next week vs the Los Angeles Rams, the team we defeated in the divisional round of the playoffs last season. Our old friend Matthew Stafford will be back in Green Bay. Let’s welcome him back and remind him of his days in Detroit.
Have a great week and a Happy Thanksgiving Packer fans! Despite the loss, we have much to be thankful for.
Go Pack Go!
@DieHardPackrFan #DHPF #GregGoshaw @gg901
