Four TDs despite Rodgers' pain but Packers can't be saved

Aaron Rodgers is hoping to heal over the next bye week after being hampered by his "very, very painful" toe injury in the Green Bay Packers' heart-breaking loss to the Minnesota Vikings.

Packers' Rodgers fights through the pain in vain

There were question marks over reigning NFL MVP Rodgers heading into Sunday's contest due to the toe issue and it proved problematic as the Vikings prevailed 34-31 on a game-ending field goal.

Rodgers, who was unable to practice much during the week, threw four touchdowns on 23-of-33 passing for a season-high 385 yards as the Packers fell to 8-3.

NFL news:

After leaving the field before the opening half was over, Rodgers discussed his toe, which has emerged as an issue since his return from the covid-19 list.

Bye week comes at good time for Rodgers

"I'm just going to have to get to the bye and hope I can get some healing over the bye week," Rodgers said, with the Packers' next bye not until Week 13 following their matchup against the Los Angeles Rams (7-3).

"Probably the same schedule next week. Was in a lot of pain. Went in at half-time early to get it checked out. It's very, very painful. Got stepped on the first half, and that kind of activated all the symptoms I was having.

"It's going to be another painful week and next week and then hopefully start to feel a little better on the bye."

Green Bay tasted defeat after Greg Joseph converted a 29-yard field goal as time expired in Minnesota.

On the game between the division rivals, Rodgers added: "Our defence has been playing so good, some days have to outscore teams that get hot on offense.

"We had an opportunity to score 40 points today, and when you're playing an offense that's hot, that has a hot quarterback, and stud receivers and a stud back, you gotta keep scoring.

"We've had a couple games like this over the years, thinking about 2012 especially, where we gotta outscore them at their place. We didn't do that today. But I think for us personally on offense, we gotta to start faster. We gotta score touchdowns on those opening plays, so I know Matt will be looking at that this week and dial up some good stuff for L.A."