The Green Bay Packers gained 419 yards, Jordan Love threw for 387 and Christian Watson produced 147 receiving yards.
The Minnesota Vikings still won by 17.
Minnesota overcame Kyler Murray’s early injury and a 22–10 second-half deficit by scoring 29 unanswered points. Carson Wentz threw three touchdown passes, Justin Jefferson scored twice, and Brian Flores’ defense destroyed Green Bay’s protection during a dominant fourth quarter.
Murray’s Vikings Debut Ends Early
Murray’s first pass as Minnesota’s starting quarterback was intercepted by Keisean Nixon. Green Bay converted the short field into a 59-yard field goal.
Murray’s afternoon ended on Minnesota’s second possession. Javon Bullard struck him in the helmet area at the end of a scramble, drawing a 15-yard unnecessary-roughness penalty. Murray entered concussion evaluation and was ruled out after only 11 offensive snaps.
Wentz replaced him and changed the direction of the game.
Watson Dominates the First Half
Love’s first completion became an 81-yard touchdown to Watson, including 60 yards after the catch. Watson added another touchdown shortly before halftime and entered the break with five receptions for 131 yards.
He finished with six catches for 147 yards and two touchdowns.
Tucker Kraft also created explosive plays in his return from a torn ACL. Green Bay repeatedly attacked Minnesota’s aggressive coverage and entered halftime leading 19–10.
Wentz Keeps Minnesota Alive
Wentz settled the Vikings with a 95-yard touchdown drive before halftime, finding Jefferson for a 39-yard score on a free play.
Minnesota later received excellent field position from its special teams. Green Bay widened its safeties to protect against Jefferson and the outside receivers, leaving the middle open for T.J. Hockenson. Wentz recognized the coverage and delivered his second touchdown pass.
The score cut Green Bay’s lead to 22–17.
LaFleur’s Aggression Backfires
Trey Smack converted a 40-yard field goal that would have given Green Bay an eight-point lead. Minnesota was offside, however, creating fourth-and-one.
Matt LaFleur removed the points and trusted his offense to gain one yard.
The aggressive decision was understandable. The execution was not.
Green Bay attempted a quarterback sneak without a pusher behind Love. Minnesota stonewalled him, and the virtual measurement confirmed that Love was short by inches.
The Vikings took possession down five.
Three Green Bay penalties extended the ensuing drive on third downs. Jordan Mason then broke a 28-yard run before Aaron Jones scored against his former team. Wentz found Jefferson for the two-point conversion, giving Minnesota its first lead at 25–22.
Flores Unleashes the Purple Wave
Green Bay’s inexperienced offensive line had no answer for Flores’ fourth-quarter pressure package.
Dallas Turner exploded around the edge and forced a fumble that Green Bay recovered. On the next snap, Blake Cashman attacked an abandoned interior gap and stripped Love again. Andrew Van Ginkel recovered near the 1-yard line, setting up Mason’s touchdown.
Cashman created another turnover on Green Bay’s next possession. He ran through the protection and deflected Love’s pass, which was intercepted by Pierre near the Packers’ 10-yard line.
Wentz flipped the ball to Jefferson in the flat. Jefferson accelerated toward the sideline, launched himself through the air and struck the pylon for his second touchdown.
Minnesota scored three touchdowns in two minutes and 42 seconds.
S³ Final Analysis
The box score reflects two completely different games.
Green Bay controlled the yardage, outgaining Minnesota 419–239. The Packers held a 353–132 advantage in net passing yards, and Love finished with 387 gross passing yards.
Minnesota controlled the decisive moments.
The Vikings forced two turnovers, recorded four sacks, stopped Green Bay on fourth down and dominated field position during the 22-point fourth quarter. Minnesota scored those 22 points while gaining only 80 yards because its defense repeatedly handed the offense a short field.
Wentz deserves enormous credit. He entered under difficult circumstances and completed the comeback with 133 passing yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. He did not attempt to recreate Murray’s offense. He remained composed, distributed the football and allowed Minnesota’s playmakers to decide the game.
The fourth-down gamble will dominate the conversation, but Green Bay’s collapse extended far beyond one decision. The Packers committed damaging penalties, failed to adjust their protection and turned the ball over twice once Flores increased the pressure.
Love was excellent for most of the afternoon. By the fourth quarter, he rarely had a chance.
S³ Verdict: This was not a Complete Performance by Minnesota. The Vikings were badly outgained and produced only 239 yards. It was a dominant situational performance built on takeaways, pressure, field position and red-zone execution.
Final Score: Vikings 39, Packers 22
Team Statistics
Total yards: Packers 419, Vikings 239 Passing yards: Packers 353, Vikings 132 Rushing yards: Vikings 107, Packers 66 Turnovers: Packers 2, Vikings 1 Time of possession: Vikings 32:58, Packers 27:02
Key Performers
Carson Wentz: 133 passing yards, 3 touchdowns Justin Jefferson: 8 receptions, 92 yards, 2 touchdowns Jordan Mason: 15 carries, 59 yards, 1 touchdown Jordan Love: 387 passing yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 interception, 4 sacks taken Christian Watson: 6 receptions, 147 yards, 2 touchdowns
Minnesota, Chicago and Detroit all opened the season with victories. Green Bay is the only NFC North team leaving Week 1 with a loss.
