The Vikings did it again! Yes, they beat the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau by a score 31-29 to remain unbeaten at 4-and-0 and alone atop the NFC North Division. But what seemed like déjà vu’ all over again was they made it difficult. The Vikings busted out to a very dominating 28-0 lead before muffing a punt, giving up a touchdown and ultimately scrambling to the finish line. We have seen this in the past (and to be honest maybe feared it happening again on Sunday), but at least the Vikings won the game and kept their record unblemished.
Sam Darnold had another very good performance, throwing three touchdown passes. Jordan Addison returned from injury and celebrated by scoring touchdowns as a rushing and a receiver and the defense played lights out (for three quarters, anyway). In the final minute, the Packers were a recovered onside kick away from breaking the Vikings’ and their fans’ hearts (letting them know what it might feel like to be on the other side of an epic comeback like their 2022 comeback against the Indianapolis Colts). In the final analysis, the Vikings turned a potential laugher into a nail biter, and we were reminded that nothing is ever for certain in the NFL.
There was a lot to be pleased about in this game (another decent performance from Aaron Jones in his former home field, four turnovers by the Vikings defense and the team’s depth showcased in players such as Kamu Grugier-Hill, who had his second interception in two games).
But there were also some things to “fix,” as they say. The Vikings committed two turnovers of their own (a pick and fumble by Darnold—though the interception should have been overturned by replay), giving up 465 yards of offense to the Packers and a questionable call to go for it and end the game rather than kick a gimme field goal. These issues certainly merit some discussion.
And that’s just what we will do here. The dudes at Vikings Territory Breakdown podcast—Joe Oberle, senior writer at vikingsterritory.com and purplePTSD.com and Mark Craig, NFL and Vikings writer for the Star Tribune and startribune.com—will discuss all this and preview next week’s game across the pond against Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets. Tune in and check it out.