Lambeau Field, WI – In an early season showdown between the perennial favorites for the NFC North division crown, the Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers put on a show. Unfortunately, fans will have to wait until Week 12 for a difinitive conclusion.
The Vikings and Packers finished this encounter in a 29-29 tie after Vikings’ kicker, rookie Daniel Carlson, missed a field goal as time expired in overtime. It was his third miss on the day.
The Packer had built up a 20-7 lead midway through the third quarter before Kirk Cousins fueled a furious comeback late. He connected with receiver, Stefon Diggs, on two of his three fourth quarter touchdown passes and the tying two-point conversion that forced overtime.
Diggs had nine catches for 128 along with those scores, while Adam Thielen had 12 for 131 and a score. Tight end, Kyle Rudolph, had seven catches for 72 yards while Dalvin Cook chipped in three for 52 yards.
The Viking defense struggled to keep the Packers offense contained for much of the day, but got the stops they needed late to give their offense the chances they needed to tie and potentially win the game.
Sheldon Richardson and Everson Griffen split a sack for the second straight week, while Danielle Hunter, David Parry, and Mackensie Alexander each had one.
The Good
- Kirk Cousins did everything he could to win this game, going 35 of 48 for 425 yards and four touchdowns and an interception, off the hands of Vikings receiver Laquon Treadwell. Three of those touchdowns (plus the game-tying two-point conversion) came in the fourth quarter. If there were any questions as to whether or not he was ready to go toe-to-toe with Aaron Rodgers in a primetime environment, those questions were answered in the positive.
- Despite the great play of the Packers’ offensive line, even they couldn’t hold up all game against the Vikings’ defensive line long enough. Minnesota’s front four controlled the trenches particularly late in this game during the comeback. They held the Packers to three field goals while the Vikings countered with touchdowns.
- The “Aaron Rodgers Rule” was a double edged sword for both teams. Late in the first half, Vikings linebacker, Eric Kendricks was flagged for roughing the passer to keep Green Bay’s possession alive, which would end in a field goal to push the Packers to a 17-7 halftime lead.
The Vikings would benefit later from the same rule when Packers linebacker, Clay Matthews, made hard contact with Cousins on an intercepted throw that should’ve sealed the game for the Packers. Instead, Matthews was flagged and the Vikings would drive down the field to tie the score at 29 apiece.
The Bad
- The offensive line was again an issue. Cousins was under duress for much of the game and the Vikings run game never really developed. If the Vikings are to get back to the NFC Championship game, they will need to address this unit.
- Laquon Treadwell started out strong with his first career touchdown catch, but that was as good as it got. He had two costly drops, the last of which was turned into an interception and very nearly cost his team the game. Time may be running out for the former first round pick.
- Daniel Carlson may be the goat of the day. His three missed kicks hurt the Vikings big, but none more than the 35-yard attempt with four seconds remaining. The Vikings should’ve walked out Lambeau with a win in hand after all that hard work from both the defense and the offense. Instead, they have to settle for the tie.
– Clayton R. Brooks II writes for Full Press Coverage and covers the Minnesota Vikings. Like and follow @ClaytonRBrooks2. Like and follow @fpc_vikings on Twitter and Full Press Vikings on Facebook.