Packers’ comeback attempt falls short as Vikings remain undefeated
The Packers fell to 2-2 after the now 4-0 Vikings stormed out to a huge lead and held on to win 31-29 at Lambeau Field on Sunday afternoon.
The Vikings got possession to start the game and drove down for a touchdown and a quick 7-0 lead. They would get 3 more touchdowns and a 28-0 lead before the Packers scored before halftime after a Minnesota turnover. The Packers would get a few takeaways themselves in the second half and cut the deficit to 28-22 before the Vikings drove down for a field goal and their only points of the half. The Packers scored a late touchdown but were unable to recover the onside kick, and the Vikings survived and improved to 4-0 on the season.
Thoughts about this game:
After the Vikings scored a touchdown on their first possession, it was evident that the Packers needed to be sharp offensively to match scores. They had a decent drive going, but when it stalled in the redzone, kicker Brayden Narveson had a 37-yard FG attempt bounce off the right upright.
Narveson missed another FG in the second quarter, a 49-yard attempt that missed wide right. His job is probably not on the line yet, but he needs to quickly find some answers. He missed field goals in 3 of the 4 games this season, and the only reason why he doesn’t have an official miss last week at Tennessee is because a penalty wiped away his miss. Seeing kickers around the league nail long ones, like Atlanta’s kicker, who nailed a 58-yard FG to win it vs the Saints, that makes it much more important for Narveson to get it together and convert on his attempts. He made a 59-yard FG in the preseason, so it is not like he is incapable of making the long ones.
Jordan Love threw for 389 yards and 4 touchdowns, both career highs, but he also threw 3 interceptions, and showed signs of rust in the first half. It is great to have him back, but he is still looking for his first win of the season. The Packers are 0-2 with Love starting and 2-0 when Malik Willis gets the start.
The Packers caught a break when the Vikings muffed a punt late in the first half. The Packers recovered, but under the rules, you can’t advance a muffed punt. An unsportsmanlike conduct penalty by Matt LaFleur pushed them back 15 yards, but Love found Jayden Reed in the endzone and the Packers finally wiped that goose egg off the board.
Xavier McKinney intercepted a pass in the second half, giving him an interception in all 4 games this season. How about that guy? Matthew Stafford better watch out next Sunday when the Packers visit the Rams.
The Packers got another takeaway when Kaisean Nixon sacked Sam Darnold, forcing him to fumble, and Edgerrin Cooper recovered for the Packers. Love found Tucker Kraft in the endzone 2 plays later, then found him again on their 2-point attempt.
If there is a silver lining in this loss, at least the Packers prevented Aaron Jones from reaching the endzone and leaping into the stands. It didn’t help that the Packers allowed a long drive by the Vikings after pulling to within 6 points. There were too many turnovers and those missed field goals hurt as well.
For now, the Vikings are the class of the NFC North. They have gotten off to hot starts before in their franchise history, only to fizzle out at the end of the season or in the playoffs. We’ll see them again in Minnesota later in the season. Maybe the Packers will be playing much better by then.
Jordan Love is back and that now opens up the playbook in the passing game, but they have many areas where they need to work on this week. Like I said earlier, the Packers play the Rams on the road next Sunday in the late afternoon. I will preview that matchup later this week. Take care Packer fans!
Go Pack Go!
@DieHardPackersFan #DHPF #GregGoshaw @gg901
