Are the Packers That Close to the Vikings?

William Glasheen/USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images.

On Sunday, the Minnesota Vikings won a football game against the Green Bay Packers. It’s always good to go to a top rival’s home and come out on top. After getting out to a 28-0 lead, though, Minnesota won by just two points. It’s tough to believe that the two teams are currently that close.

Are the Packers That Close to the Vikings?

Yes, it’s fair to note off the top that Packers quarterback Jordan Love was not 100%. However, he’s not likely to avoid hits the rest of the season, and Green Bay chose to put him under center. The reality is that Minnesota absolutely boat-raced Matt LaFleur’s team for the vast majority of the contest.

Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports.

The score shows that Green Bay made things interesting at the end, but Sam Darnold succeeded even when put in a difficult situation in the closing minutes. The Vikings needed to keep their foot on the pedal longer than they did. There was no reason for Minnesota not to keep piling on the points. Kevin O’Connell will address the aggressiveness on both sides of the ball, and that’s something they can fix.

If Sunday showed something, though, Minnesota is currently in a better position than the Green Bay Packers.

Minnesota wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) catches a touchdown pass against Green Bay cornerback Keisean Nixon (25) in the second quarter during their football game Sunday, September 29, 2024, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin.

The NFC North was expected to go through the Detroit Lions. That still may be the case, as Dan Quinn’s team is not far behind. The Vikings have yet to test their wits against the Lions, and that will tell us where the two teams stand. With regard to the Packers, though, the early score has been settled.

Believing that Green Bay is close to what Minnesota is doing would mean overlooking more than half of the game. The Vikings allowed their opponent back in the game by getting complacent. Green Bay didn’t do anything revolutionary to claw their way back. Kevin O’Connell still coached his team to victory during a contest they never trailed.

Packers
Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports.

It is somewhat surprising that Minnesota is this good, but it’s also an actual reality. The final score can provide some indicators, and so may the box score, but how things shook out on the field should be given the most weight.


Ted Schwerzler is a blogger from the Twin Cities that is focused on all things Minnesota Twins and Minnesota Vikings. He’s active on Twitter and writes weekly for Twins Daily. As a former college athlete and avid sports fan, covering our pro teams with a passion has always seemed like such a natural outlet.