Vikings survive Green Bay comeback attempt
Onto Detroit the Vikings go with a chance to win the conference
By Matthew Coller
MINNEAPOLIS — Yes, that game was way more stressful that it needed to be but we can officially suspend discussions on where Sam Darnold is going to play next year and start talking about whether he’s the best quarterback in the NFC heading into the playoffs.
On Sunday afternoon, the Vikings needed to beat the Green Bay Packers in order to have a shot next week at winning the NFC regular season crown and earning themselves a first-round bye.
They needed Darnold to be at his best versus a Green Bay defense that had been rolling in recent weeks. Not only did he step up, Darnold looked like nothing short of a franchise quarterback, finishing 33-for-43 with 377 yards, 3 touchdowns and one interception.
Outside of the bad INT, Darnold’s decision making and accuracy was on point as he rolled to another game with 100-plus quarterback rating. Just as importantly, he came through again in the biggest moments. He bounced back from the INT, as he’s done so many times this year, and commanded the offense to a response score that was ultimately the difference in the game. He also completed back-to-back throws on the final drive to put the game on ice.
This was one of those games that you’ll be watching back on YouTube years from now and marveling at the way Darnold threw the ball around the yard.
On the defensive side, the Vikings performance was every bit as masterful through three quarters. They made Jordan Love look like the inexperienced player that they saw last year at Lambeau Field rather than the gunslinger that he had been for most of his second season. Entering the fourth quarter, Love hadn’t even crossed the 60-yard mark.
But in the fourth quarter, the defense and a series of miscues (including a missed field goal and very poor clock management) allowed Green Bay back in the game. It was deja vu from Week 4 when the Vikings survived by two points. It was also enough to make everyone nervous about what comes next in the playoffs.
Before we get there, the Vikings need one more win and one more shining performance from Darnold next week. They earned that with a clutch win over the Packers.
Here’s how Sunday’s win went down….
Opening drive
The Vikings defense got the introduction treatment, with the biggest cheers coming for Harrison Smith. It dawned on me that this could be his last home game if the Vikings aren’t able to clinch the No. 1 seed in the playoffs and earn another game at home.
Smith and the defense took the field to open the game as the Packers won the toss and elected to receive. Right away the crowd’s ability to impact the game would be tested with a third down following a handoff to Josh Jacobs and short completion by Jordan Love. If you remember last year, Love wasn’t intimidated at all by the pomp and circumstance of US Bank Stadium. That was the case on this early third down, too, as he converted another quick throw easily.
The crowd didn’t have to wait much longer to explode though. As Jacobs blasted through a hole on the right side of the Vikings D-line, DT Jerry Tillery popped the ball out and Cam Bynum recovered. Instant potential game changer.
12:10, First Quarter
Aaron Jones, facing his old team, started off the action for the Vikings offense with a 7-yard run and then he did a phenomenal job picking up a blitz, allowing Sam Darnold to convert a first down on a pass to Johnny Mundt.
But the Packers defense, which has been every bit as good as the Vikings lately, pressured Darnold on back-to-back plays and the Vikings had to punt the ball away. Is it going to be a grind fest?
9:23, First Quarter
A Ryan Wright punt backed up the Packers into the shadow of their own end zone and Love decided to see if he could get Green Bay rolling on one play. On back-to-back drop-backs, he launched deep shots in the direction of Shaq Griffin and then threw incomplete over the middle on a pass that was nearly intercepted.
If you’re on the Green Bay side, you’re wondering why Matt LaFleur wouldn’t go back to the run. Could he have been shaken up by the Jacobs fumble?
Punt.
9:00, First Quarter
The Vikings offensive line is going to be in the spotlight during a game vs. a team with a strong D-line and a blitzing D-coordinator. They showed up big on third-and-short by giving Darnold all day to find TJ Hockenson to bring the ball into Pack territory.
He also had time to launch a ball into the atmosphere toward Jordan Addison in the end zone but the Packers DB Keisean Nixon was able to break it up at the last second.
On fourth-and-3, Kevin O’Connell elected to bring Will Reichard on for a deep field goal. From 57, he hit the cross bar and the score remained tied at zeros.
Should they have gone for it on fourth-and-short? In hindsight, yes. But Reichard has been so automatic from deep that it’s understandable to attempt to take the lead.
6:02, First Quarter
LaFleur went back to his style of football with back-to-back runs and then picked up seven more yards on a screen. The refs added on 15 yards to the screen for a personal foul. Apparently Harrison Smith went low on his blocker, which used to be allowed, but isn’t anymore. Upon replay, it was pretty questionable whether he actually committed the infraction.
On third down at the 10-yard line, Love completed a pass that was short of the goal line and the Pack settled for a field goal.
Had to be a decision based on nerves because most coaches in the year 2024 go for that one. 3-0 Pack.
1:47, First Quarter
The Vikings went back to the ground game to start their next possession. Jones jumped out to runs if five yards and nine yards.
Darnold got into a rhythm after that, completing passes to Jalen Nailor and then Jordan Addison twice, both for first downs.
Then the deep ball arrived on the scene. The Packers neglected to cover Nailor and Darnold floated a touchdown pass over the defense to give the Vikings the 7-3 lead.
Nailor hasn’t been a big part of the offense recently but he certainly proved that he was capable of being a weapon earlier in the season. What a time to return to the spotlight.
11:53, Second Quarter
The Packers went back to the ground game for a 13-yard first down carry on third-and-short. It’s very clear that the Green Bay O-line is going to be able to move the Vikings’ D-line, the question is how much they let it matter.
On third down at the Vikings 25-yard line, Love completed a pass just short of the first down marker and LaFleur decided to go for it this time. Green Bay spread the field and Love threw incomplete across the middle. It appeared Jayden Reed should have been able to bring it in.
Vikings ball.
7:29, Second Quarter
The failed fourth down attempt opened up a huge opportunity for the Vikings. Not only would they get a shot at going ahead, but they also get the ball back in the second half.
Darnold remained locked in, going through his reads and completing a first-down pass to Hockenson. The last time he faced the Packers, Hockenson was still recovering from an ACL injury. Justin Jefferson then continued to rack up pass interference yards with all three refs tossing flags on a throw that went over the middle for 17 yards.
Darnold converted a third down with a laser pass into tight coverage to Nailor for a first down to get the Vikings into scoring position. It was one of those throws that makes Darnold so gifted.
Cam Akers followed up by gaining 16 yards to get the Vikings inside the 15. But Darnold was unable to convert on third-and-goal and Reichard came on for a field goal.
2:16, Second Quarter
Could this Packers drive be a huge determining factor in the game? With the Vikings getting the ball coming out of halftime, Green Bay could be in trouble if they don’t produce points or at least remain on the field for the remainder of the half.
The Packers bungled their chance to tie the game before the break. On third-and-1, Jacobs ran for a first down but the play was called back by an illegal procedure. Love overthrew a deep shot — for what reason he went downfield, I do not know — and the Vikings got the ball back.
1:26, Second Quarter
Darnold started the potential last-minute drive by ripping a fastball to Hockenson for a 28-yard gain.
But the O’Connell botched the end of the half when it came to clock management. Darnold completed a pass with 48 seconds remaining and the Vikings tried to go no huddle. They ran down 20 seconds off the clock, only to check down and gain five yards.
After a sack, Hockenson caught another pass to get the Vikings into field goal position. Reichard on for another deep bomb, this time from 55.
Reichard missed again. However, the Packers got flagged for being offside. This time he made it from 50. 13-3.
15:00, Third Quarter
With a chance to make this thing really tricky for the Packers, Darnold led the offense out onto the field having gone 17-for-22 with 184 yards and a touchdown in the first half.
Jones opening the half by converting a third-and-3 by coming across the middle for a first-down reception. Darnold followed up by rocketing a pass to the night’s star Jalen Nailor for 22 yards.
A screen pass to Jefferson brought the Vikings again to the door step of the Packers end zone. One play later, Darnold showed everything he has in his bag with a brilliant throw into the end zone to Jordan Addison for a touchdown. On the play, Addison hesitated on his route and then broke to the back of the end zone. Darnold delivered the ball right into his hands.
Just like that, 20-3, Vikings.
9:44, Third Quarter
Yardage check: Sam Darnold 257, Jordan Love 45. What more do you want from your quarterback?
With the Packers deep in a hole, the Vikings defense needed to step up and make a comeback extremely difficult. And they did just that. Love rolled around under pressure on third down, looked deep and tossed a ball up for grabs. Byron Murphy Jr. knocked it down, forcing another punt.
7:55, Third Quarter
Just when the Vikings looked like they were ready to close out the game and start preparing for next week’s massive game against the Lions, Darnold cracked the door open for Love and the Packers.
Looking for a deep out to TJ Hockenson, Green Bay corner Carrington Valentine jumped the route and intercepted the ball. He returned it inside the Vikings 20-yard line, giving Green Bay a shot at scoring quickly and getting them back into the game.
7:03, Third Quarter
This isn’t exactly a team that you want to give extra chances. The Packers scored almost instantly to bring the game back within 10 points. In an eyeblink, it went from nearly on ice to still very much alive.
5:07, Third Quarter
Darnold has been a master of moving on this year whenever things have gone sideways. He demonstrated that again by starting a possible rebound drive with a short completion to Jones, then a completion on a screen to Jefferson, and then another first down to Jones. In three plays, the Vikings were in field goal range again.
Addison continued his ridiculous day as Darnold ripped another throw downfield for 20 yards. That put the Vikings inside the red zone. Then Jones rushed for 13 yards to get them to first-and-goal. Could they put it away here?
Yep. A quick screen to Akers resulted in him barreling into the end zone to put the Vikings back up by 17.
What. A. Drive.
Say it again: The resilience of Sam Darnold has kept the train on the tracks all season long.
0:51, Third Quarter
Trying to get his team back into the game, Love continued to get chased around like crazy by the Vikings pass rush. On third down, Blake Cashman and Andrew Van Ginkel collapsed the pocket on Love and sacked him.
Punt.
Brian Flores’s defense, everyone. This is why home field advantage is so vital to the Vikings.
13:22, Fourth Quarter
Did you think O’Connell was going to play it safe? Darnold flipped a pass over the middle to wide open Jefferson for a 37-yard gain to put the final touches on one of the great performances we have ever seen by a QB against the Packers.
The Vikings grinded some clock, threw an unnecessary incompletion (as is KOC’s style) and then Reichard missed another field goal.
We’re officially on kicker watch.
9:18, Fourth Quarter
Love need to get a quick score for the Packers to even have a snowball’s chance in hell of getting Green Bay back in the game.
He did just that. Love showed off his cannon by completing a 35-yard throw down the middle of the field to bring Green Bay within scoring position.
A holding call negated a Jacobs touchdown run and the clock kept ticking.
Love completed a first-down pass inside the 10-yard line with under seven minutes remaining. Tick, tick, tick.
At the goal line, they slammed the ball into the end zone and Love completed a pass to score the 2-point conversion.
Vikings 27 - Packers 18. Not over yet.
6:12, Fourth Quarter
Suddenly in need of another big drive, Jefferson made the catch of the season, a one-hand grab across the middle that would have put the game away. But the play was called back due to a holding penalty.
Punt.
A tremendously bad job by O’Connell with clock management — again.
The Vikings could have run twice and wore down the clock under three minutes. Instead, the Packers had plenty of time left. A quagmire of errors was the only reason they were still alive.
4:37, Fourth Quarter
Dallas Turner arrived at the right time. With Green Bay looking for a deep shot, Turner tracked down Love for a sack. He’s continued to make big plays each week.
On third-and-7, Love continued his fourth-quarter circus act with an 18-yard gain. Then he hit another one for another first down.
Love found receivers again and again, moving the ball to the 1-yard line and then he tossed a touchdown pass to receiver Malik Heath.
Oh goodness…
2:18, Fourth Quarter
Never afraid to put the ball in the air, O’Connell called a rollout pass to CJ Ham. He caught the ball and rumbled forward for a huge first down. The Vikings were one more first down away from putting the game away.
The first down wouldn’t come without drama. On third-and-2, Darnold rolled out and flipped the ball in the air over a defender to Akers. He grabbed it off his shoestrings for a first down.
Game over. 14-2. Onto Detroit with a chance to win the conference.
C.J. Ham call by K.O. and pass by San at the end was a beauty.
Really need to finish them off but for 3 quarters it was total dominance