NFL
Who won Packers vs. Vikings | NFL Week 11
The Minnesota Vikings won a thriller over the Green Bay Packers in an NFC North battle from U.S. Bank Stadium. Justin Jefferson had 169 yards and two TDs.
A last second field goal led the Minnesota Vikings to a dramatic victory over the NFC North leading Green Bay Packers on Sunday from U.S. Bank Stadium. Kirk Cousins had 341 yards and three touchdowns in the Vikings 34-31 win.
Minnesota bounced back time after time
Minnesota jumped out to a two touchdown advantage in the first half, but the Packers came back to take the lead in a wild fourth quarter.
The Packers did themselves no favors by committing unforced errors time and again throughout the first two quarters. Every time they seemed to build up a drive a flag would push them but and bring the possession to an end. The Green Bay ended the day with nine penalties for a total of 92 yards.
Minnesota dominated the opening quarters, but were only up six at halftime after Aaron Rodgers hit Josiah Deguara on an across the body pass for the tight end’s career touchdown.
Jefferson goes wild
Green Bay had to feel fortunate to be down just a score, but the Vikings jumped out early in the third quarter and counter punched the Packers with a 14-play 75 yard touchdown drive. Justin Jefferson capped off the drive with nine yard reception to stretch the lead to 23-10. Jefferson was unstoppable all day long, going for 169 yards and two touchdowns on eight receptions.
The Packers weren’t going down without a fight, and hit back with a quick drive that was polished off with a Devante Adams 10 yard touchdown reception. The Packers got a stop on Minnesota’s next possession and used a 12 play drive to take their first lead of the afternoon.
Two touchdowns and a field goal in final 2:17
The lead was brief, and the Green Bay defensive stop would be the first and only of the second half. Once again the Packers would take control of the game, but the Vikings had an answer for every punch Green Bay threw. That answer was Justin Jefferson, who caught his second touchdown pass with 2:17 to go in the fourth quarter, and a two point conversion gave Minnesota a 31-24 lead.
The question with Aaron Rodgers is how much time is too much time to give the reigning MVP? It turned out Rodgers and Marquez Valdes-Scantling needed just nine seconds, connecting on a 75 yard touchdown pass to level the game with 2:08 to go.
Joseph's FG takes Minnesota to 5-5
Kirk Cousins almost threw a devastating interception on the first play of what would become the game winning drive. Darnell Savage looked like he came up with the pick, but couldn’t keep control of the ball once he hit the ground. Cousins didn’t skip a beat after the interception scare.
The Vikings drove down to the Green Bay 11 yard line and Greg Joseph kicked a 29 yard field goal as the clock hit zero.
The Vikings are now 5-5 on the year and are in the thick of the NFC Playoff hunt, while the Packers drop to 8-3 and lose ground in the race for home field in the playoffs.