Packers Bottle Up Vikings
Carl Knowles
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Entering the game as the least penalized team in the NFL, the Vikings gave up a season high 8 penalties for 110 yards on a chilly day at TCF Bank Stadium. The Green Bay Packers defense held Arian Peterson to 45 yards, forcing a fumble and sacking Teddy Bridgewater six times to capture a 30-13 NFC North victory.
The Packers ended a three-game losing streak on a 100 yard rushing performance by Eddie Lacy, and a five field goal outing from Mason Crosby. The Vikings limited Aaron Rodgers to 16 of 34 for 212 yards and two touchdowns, but a lackluster performance by the Vikings offensive line spelled defeat for the Vikings.
The lone bright spot was the solid play from Bridgewater who hit on 25 of 37 for 296 yards and 1 touchdown under heavy pressure. The Vikings found the end zone first when Bridgewater connected with Kyle Rudolph on a 47-yard pass in the first quarter to take a 6-3 lead. Yes, Blair Walsh missed another extra point and from that moment the Packers scored 16 unanswered points taking control of the game with a dominate performance from their defensive front.
Even on a bad day, the Vikings continued to fight. Peterson scored the Vikings second touchdown on a 6-yard run that cut the score to 19-13 late in the 3rd quarter. That score, however, would be as close as they would get as the Packers capitalized on a few 4th quarter mistakes by the Vikings.
Kyle Rudolph had a career day with 6 receptions for 106 yards as the Vikings fall to 7-3 on the season.