In a horse race type of game, the Vikings won by a nose at the finish line. Minnesota outscored Green Bay 34-31 Sunday, kicking a game-winning field goal as time expired. “It’s hard to win in this league and it’s hard to score points when you’re behind the sticks,” said Packers’ Head Coach Mike LaFleur in his post-game presser. LaFleur was addressing the Packers’ 8 penalties, specifically his O-line’s 6 flag-earning plays.
Green Bay was efficient in the second half scoring touchdowns on each of the 3 drives it had putting up 21. But, in the first half, the offensive line made drive-killing mistakes as it committed 3 holding penalties, 2 false starts, and illegal hands to the face penalty. These mistakes (combined with a missed field goal) kept Green Bay out of the end zone in the first half as they mustered only 10 points and trailed by 6 at the half.
The Packers’ defense, which gave up just 31 points in the previous 3 games, allowed 34 Sunday to Minnesota and QB Kirk Cousins. The D had at least 4 chances at interceptions but failed to pick off a pass. In the first half, Packers Safety Darnell Savage had a Cousins’ interception called back after a roughing the passer penalty. And, on the final Minnesota drive, Savage intercepted a deep out route pass by Cousins, but the play was reversed by replay. “I felt good about our defense…Sav [Savage] almost was able to hold onto that pick,” said QB Aaron Rodgers after the game. “We just started a little bit too slow, didn’t score enough points,” Rodgers added.
The Facts:
Packers 31 Vikings 34
Turnovers: 0/0
Sacks: 2/23 vs 2/13
3rd&4th DN: 7/11 vs 9/13
Rushing: 19/95 vs 29/90
Passing: 23/33 for 385 vs 24/35 for 341
Penalties: 8/92 vs 3/25
The Feelings:
No doubt Packers fans are disappointed. A loss to divisional rival the Vikings never feels good. And, although the Pack still lead the NFC North they can now hear Vikings’ footsteps.
Frustration as Green Bay’s woes this season again haunt the team in a loss. Penalties killing drives, frustration. The offense sputtering in the red zone, frustration. Mason Crosby missing a field goal, frustration. The defense allowing TDs, frustration. There’s a theme emerging with this loss – frustration!
Worry. Green Bay now, in week 11, has as many regular-season losses as it did in the previous 2 seasons, three. And, the Pack still have to face the Rams next week, the Ravens and Minnesota again the team’s final six contests. It is not outside the realm of possibility that Green Bay loses the division if they can’t course-correct.
Confusion. What is Aaron Rodgers’ undisclosed toe injury? And, how did he injure it during a Covid-19 off-week? How severe is it and how will it affect the team? What is Guard Elgton Jenkins’ injury and how serious is it? And how much time will he miss? Can the O-line absorb yet another man down? Will Guard David Bakhtiari return? If so, when? Will RB Aaron Jones return? Will the Packers make a change at placekicker? These are just some of the questions sure to be confusing to Packers fans.
Happy is, of course, what all fans want to be…but only one thing will bring happiness back to Packers’ Universe – a win against the Rams in Lambeau Sunday.
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