Vikings outlast Packers’ 4th-quarter desperation, defeat division foe to stay undefeated

The Inexperienced Bay Packers made issues very fascinating on the finish of the sport, however the Minnesota Vikings stay undefeated after outlasting their NFC North foe, 31-29, on Sunday afternoon at Lambeau Discipline. 

Sam Darnold and the Vikings’ offense was as soon as once more electrical, as this one seemed to be a blowout early on after the scoreboard learn 28-0. 

However this recreation would finish with the Vikings needing to recuperate an onside kick try by the Packers, who had a second-half surge to chop into the huge deficit.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Minnesota Vikings broad receiver Justin Jefferson (18) scores a landing on Inexperienced Bay Packers cornerback Keisean Nixon in the course of the second quarter of their recreation on September 29, 2024, at Lambeau Discipline in Inexperienced Bay, Wis. (Mark Hoffman/USA TODAY Community by way of Imagn Photos)

Nonetheless, their efforts of desperation have been all for naught as Minnesota recovered the onside kick try and knelt out the victory to go to 4-0. 

This was one of many marquee matchups of the weekend, because the Vikings went into Inexperienced Bay to face a squad that had received its final two video games with Malik Willis filling in for Love, who suffered from a sprained MCL after Week 1’s loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. 

However the Vikings showcased their dominance from the start, needing simply six performs to go 73 yards for a landing, which got here on a 29-yard strike to Jordan Addison for the rating. 

PACKERS HEAD COACH GOES WILD ON REFS, FLAGGED FOR UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT DURING BLOWOUT

Then, after rookie kicker Brayden Narveson had the primary of two missed subject targets happen on Inexperienced Bay’s first drive, the Vikings went one other 73 yards the place Darnold discovered tight finish Josh Oliver for the two-yard landing. 

Issues began to go off the rails for the Packers when Love threw an interception that arrange one more landing as Addison discovered the tip zone once more early within the second quarter on a seven-yard run. 

Packers followers continued to shake their heads when Narveson missed one other subject purpose after the third Vikings landing, and regardless of a three-and-out on the next Minnesota drive, Love was picked off once more, this time by Shaq Griffin. 

Two performs later, Darnold delivered a dime to Justin Jefferson for a 14-yard rating down the correct sideline. 

Inexperienced Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love is proven in opposition to the Minnesota Vikings at Lambeau Discipline. (William Glasheen/USA TODAY Community by way of Imagn Photos)

However Inexperienced Bay didn’t roll over on this one. The tide began to vary on the finish of the primary half when Love discovered Jayden Reed, who had a game-high 139 yards on seven catches, for a landing to get the Packers on the board. 

Then the second half began to belong to the house group as Love discovered Dontayvion Wicks for the primary of his two second-half touchdowns early within the fourth quarter. 

A turning level got here on the following drive as Darnold was strip-sacked and the Packers discovered themselves within the crimson zone. Two performs later, Love watched as tight finish Tucker Kraft bullied his approach into the tip zone from 13 yards out, and obtained the uncommon “octopus,” as he caught the two-point conversion as effectively to make it 28-22. 

Darnold and the Vikings would get again on monitor as they noticed three factors transformed on a subject purpose strive, however the Packers protection saved giving the offense a possibility for a comeback. However it was too little, too late for Inexperienced Bay. 

Darnold had one other extremely environment friendly afternoon, going 20 of 28 for 275 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. In the meantime, Love had 389 yards passing on 32 of 54, although he had 4 touchdowns to a few interceptions. 

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold throws a go in the course of the first quarter in opposition to the Inexperienced Bay Packers at Lambeau Discipline. (Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Photos)

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Whereas the go recreation was nice for Minnesota, Aaron Jones, returning to his former residence of Lambeau Discipline after years with the Packers, rushed for 93 yards on 22 carries whereas catching 4 passes for 46 yards.

Observe Fox Information Digital’s sports activities protection on X and subscribe to the Fox Information Sports activities Huddle publication.