Flashback Friday: Vikings Slip Past Packers in 2021

Flashback Friday: Vikings Slip Past Packers in 2021
Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports.

Week 1 of the regular season is finally here. The Minnesota Vikings will host their biggest rival, the Green Bay Packers, on Sunday afternoon at U.S. Bank Stadium. What a way to start the season.

Green Bay has won the NFC North in each of the past three seasons, while Minnesota has missed the playoffs in each of the past two seasons and has not won the division since 2017.

Green Bay leads the all-time series 64-56-2. Both teams split the season series last season. Minnesota, by the way, is 4-2 all-time against them at U.S. Bank Stadium.

The last time Minnesota hosted Green Bay, they won 34-31.

Kirk Cousins went 24/35 for 341 yards and three touchdowns. Dalvin Cook rushed for 86 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries. Justin Jefferson caught eight passes for 169 yards and two touchdowns. Adam Thielen caught eight passes for 82 yards and a touchdown. Eric Kendricks recorded a game-high 11 tackles. Greg Joseph nailed a 29-yard field goal with no time remaining to seal the win.

Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports.

“It’s just life in the NFL. It’s exciting. I certainly understand why people want to follow and watch it,” Cousins said.

For Green Bay, Aaron Rodgers went 23/33 for 385 yards and four touchdowns. Davante Adams caught seven passes for 115 yards and two touchdowns. Marquez Valdes-Scantling caught four passes for 123 yards and a touchdown. Preston Smith recorded two sacks.

With the win, Minnesota improved to 5-5, and Green Bay fell to 8-3.

(9) Packers vs. Vikings Week 11 Highlights | NFL 2021 – YouTube

The Packers should be considered the favorites to win the North, but it could be a very interesting race. Could the Vikings win the division under first-year head coach Kevin O’Connell? Maybe. It is certainly not impossible, especially in a very unpredictable league.

Kevin O'Connell Receives '40 Under 40' Treatment
Kevin O’Connell

One thing is for sure. Fans are excited about the season and the new era of Vikings football. Many new faces are on this roster, too, including former Packers Za’Darius Smith and Chandon Sullivan.

Prediction: Vikings win 31-27.


Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

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