Packer Central

Live Updates: Vikings Beat Packers 31-29

The Green Bay Packers (2-1) are hosting the Minnesota Vikings (3-0) at Lambeau Field on Sunday. Follow along all day for all the action for this big NFC North rivalry game.

Bill Huber

The scene is set for Packers-Vikings at Lambeau Field.
The scene is set for Packers-Vikings at Lambeau Field. / Bill Huber/Packers On SI
In this story:

GREEN BAY, Wis. – With Jordan Love back in the lineup, the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings will square off in a huge early-season game at Lambeau Field.

Follow along all day for updates.

Final Score

Vikings 31, Packers 29

The Packers scored a late touchdown pass but Daniel Whelan’s onside kick was recovered.

Here’s the story of the Packers falling to 2-2 and the Vikings capping an impressive sweep.

Fourth Quarter

Vikings 31, Packers 29 (56 seconds remaining)

The game’s still not over. Love threw a 17-yard touchdown pass to Dontayvion Wicks after completions of 21 and 42 yards to Jayden Reed as part of a 96-yard touchdown drive.

Vikings 31, Packers 22 (4:18 remaining)

Another nail in the coffin. The defense got a stop but Tucker Kraft was stripped by Byron Murphy and recovered by Cam Bynum at Green Bay’s 42.

Vikings 31, Packers 22 (6:13 remaining)

Jordan Love’s third interception might have put the nail in the coffin. After hitting Dontayvion Wicks for 36, Love chucked one deep to Wicks but was easily intercepted by Byron Murphy. Harrison Smith was free on a blitz but there was no reason for Love to just toss one to the end zone.

Vikings 31, Packers 22 (6:50 remaining)

The Vikings did what they needed to do. A 17-yard completion to Justin Jefferson, an 8-yard screen and a 27-yard completion to a wide-open Jefferson set up Will Reichard’s 33-yard field goal to make it a two-score game.

Vikings 28, Packers 22 (10:16 remaining)

We’ve got a ball game. A sack-strip by Keisean Nixon was recovered by Edgerrin Cooper at the Vikings’ 20. After Josh Jacobs ran for 7, Jordan Love threw a pass to Tucker Kraft, who bulled through one defender and plowed his way up the sideline for the touchdown. Kraft was wide open for the 2. Lambeau Field is going crazy.

Vikings 28, Packers 14 (11:38 remaining)

The Packers have made it a two-score game with an 89-yard touchdown drive. A 28-yard catch to a wide-open Bo Melton at the sideline and back-to-back catches by Malik Heath got the Packers into the red zone. On third-and-1, Jordan Love hit wide-open Dontayvion Wicks for the touchdown. A tough grader might have given Wicks three drops in the first three quarters, and he almost dropped the touchdown, too.

Third Quarter

Vikings 28, Packers 7 (3:12 remaining)

Quay Walker’s sack thwarted the Vikings’ possession and gave the Packers a glimmer of hope. However, Emanuel Wilson’s 23-yard run to the 11 was nullified by a holding penalty on Tucker Kraft, which moved the ball back to the 42 – in effect, a 31-yard penalty. Love’s second-down screen to Jayden Reed was thrown too low – a theme of the day- and his fourth-down bomb to the end zone to Donayvion Wicks fell incomplete. The ball appeared to go through Wicks’ hands in the end zone without being deflected by Shaq Griffin.

Vikings 28, Packers 7 (9:16 remaining)

The Vikings were cruising toward another score when Xavier McKinney struck again. Sam Darnold threw deep toward the goal line but McKinney made the interception at the 2. He became the first Packers player ever with an interception in each of his first four games.

The Packers couldn’t do anything with it, though. On third-and-6, Jordan Love threw behind Dontayvion Wicks, who couldn’t make the play.

Vikings 28, Packers 7 (14:00 remaining)

The Packers needed a touchdown. Instead, they went three-and-out. Jordan Love had Dontayvion Wicks for the first down but the pass was a bit off target and hit the ground before Wicks could secure the catch, officials ruled upon review.

Injury update: Packers WR Christian Watson (ankle) is out.

Halftime

Vikings 28, Packers 7

Sam Darnold is 11-of-15 for 136 yards and three touchdowns as the Vikings are embarrassing the Packers at halftime. Jordan Love is 12-of-24 passing for 118 yards, with a late touchdown to Jayden Reed but a pair of interceptions.

It’s tied for the fifth-largest halftime deficit for the Packers in a game played at Lambeau Field. The Packers trailed the Jets 31-0 at halftime in 2006.

Second Quarter

Vikings 28, Packers 7 (15 seconds remaining)

The Packers are on the board. Daniel Whelan’s bomb of a punt sailed through the hands of Jalen Nailor and recovered by Bo Melton at the Vikings’ 3. Officially, it was a 74-yard punt. A 2-yard catch by Romeo Doubs and an unsportsmanlike-conduct penalty by coach Matt LaFleur – apparently wanting a timeout and not throwing a fit about Doubs’ catch not being ruled a touchdown – moved the ball back to the 16. Jordan Love’s superb throw to Jayden Reed finally got the Packers on the board, and Reed celebrated enthusiastically to try to get the fans back into the game.

Vikings 28, Packers 0 (2:03 remaining)

The Packers crossed midfield on a 21-yard catch by Tucker Kraft – 1 yard on the pass and 20 after the catch – and got into scoring range when Jordan Love scrambled for 6 on third-and-6. But the drive stalled. Romeo Doubs dropped a pass near the 10 on the first down, Love underthrew Dontayvion Wicks on second down near the 10 and Love was crunched by Pat Jones on third down. On fourth-and-10, Love’s heave to Bo Melton was broken up by Byron Murphy.

Vikings 28, Packers 0 (5:28 remaining)

First, Jordan Love’s pass went through the hands of Luke Musgrave and Romeo Doubs and was intercepted by Vikings cornerback Shaq Griffin, who returned it 28 yards to the 4. After offensive holding, Sam Darnold threw a 14-yard touchdown pass to Justin Jefferson. Keisean Nixon had no idea the ball was his coming his way. Jefferson made the catch and had something to say about Nixon.

Vikings 21, Packers 0 (7:01 remaining)

The Packers forced the first punt of the game, and Ryan Wright’s shank took a superb bounce to pin the Packers at the 6.

Vikings 21, Packers 0 (8:04 remaining)

Brayden Narveson missed another field goal and, you guessed it, it was wide right. The Packers badly needed a touchdown, and they got off to a promising start with a 20-yard completion to Romeo Doubs. On third-and-3, Love went deep to Jayden Reed, who drew an interference penalty on Josh Mettelus for 20 more. But Love was sacked on second-and-8 and safety Cam Bynum made a big-time breakup on a third-and-18 pass to Tucker Kraft. Narveson then missed from 49.

Vikings 21, Packers 0 (11:50 remaining)

The Packers are getting embarrassed on their homefield. Jordan Addison scored on a 7-yard jet sweep. It was perfectly defensed, but Keisean Nixon missed the tackle at the line of scrimmage. Sam Darnold is 9-of-10 passing for 115 yards and two touchdowns and Aaron Jones has 59 total yards – exactly as many as his former team.

First Quarter

Vikings 14, Packers 0 (20 seconds remaining)

Insult and injury. On third-and-7, Jordan Love’s pass to Christian Watson was intercepted by linebacker Kamu Grugier-Hill. Watson’s left ankle was bent awkwardly underneath him, and he finally was able to walk off the field on his own. But it’s Vikings ball at Green Bay’s 46.

Vikings 14, Packers 0 (1:37 remaining)

The Packers are getting absolutely destroyed. Sam Darnold’s 2-yard touchdown pass to tight end Josh Oliver made it 14-0. On the first play of the drive, Aaron Jones ran for 17, breaking tackles by Quay Walker and Edgerrin Cooper; Cooper had a facemask penalty to tack on 15 more. On third-and-1, Darnold scrambled through a huge void for 9. On another third-and-1, Eric Stokes was flagged for interference on a pass to Justin Jefferson. That made it first-and-goal at the 3. On the next play, Keisean Nixon was flagged for defensive holding. That was the fourth defensive penalty on the drive.

Vikings 7, Packers 0 (6:47 remaining)

After missing the last two games, Jordan Love completed his first three passes, including a 24-yarder to Jayden Reed in which Love had all day and part of tomorrow before finding Reed over the middle. But the Packers’ old bugaboo, the red zone, intervened again. Reed’s catch moved the ball to the 16. But a low throw to Tucker Kraft limited a tight end screen to a gain of 1, Josh Jacobs gained 1 and Elgton Jenkins false-started. On third-and-14, Love had Dontayvion Wicks for what might have been a touchdown but the pass was low and Wicks couldn’t make the play. Brayden Narveson hit the right upright.

Vikings 7, Packers 0 (11:53 remaining)

The Vikings have trailed for about 3 1/2 minutes this season and they’re up quickly again. Sam Darnold threw a 29-yard touchdown pass to Jordan Addison, who was wide open against Corey Ballentine. The killer was on third-and-14 – good run defense on first down, a dropped interception by Isaiah McDuffie on second down and delay of game setting up third-and-long. However, Darnold had all day and hit Jalen Nailor, who was wide open on a crossing route against Eric Stokes for a catch-and-run gain of 31. They scored on the next play.

Wisconsin’s Andrew Van Ginkel Having Strong Start

Former Wisconsin standout Andrew Van Ginkel was the Dolphins’ fifth-round pick in 2019. In five seasons, he recorded 17 sacks. Signed by the Vikings to a two-year, $20 million contract in free agency this offseason, he’s one of their defensive leaders with three sacks (one in each game) and a pick-six.

“He’s a problem,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur said. “They do a really good job with him. What makes it so difficult is that they can get down into their five-down looks where he’s on the ball or they can use him as a standup linebacker off the ball and then they’re in their four-down look.”

According to Pro Football Focus, he’s played 125 snaps on the edge (split almost evenly left side vs. right side) with 11 as an off-the-ball linebacker and three as a slot defender.

“Obviously that pick-six he had vs. the Giants, then he had one vs. San Francisco where he just missed a pick, he’s in a standup position off the edge. He creates a lot of problems the way he gets off the ball, and then if you try to spit something out quickly, he gets his hands in the way. Just a highly versatile and highly productive player.”

Three Key Stats

One: Under coach Kevin O’Connell, the Vikings are 20-0 when they at least break even in turnovers. The Packers are No. 1 in the NFL in interceptions (seven), takeaways (nine) and turnover margin (plus-7).

Two: The Packers are No. 1 in the NFL in rushing yards, an obvious nod to the absence of Jordan Love and the skills of Malik Willis. Nonetheless, it will be a strength-vs.-strength matchup. Vikings defenders have contacted opposing runners behind the line of scrimmage on 53.3 percent of rushing plays, tops in the NFL. In fact, the Vikings have allowed 13 rushing yards before contact.

Three: Through three games, the Vikings have trailed for just 3 minutes and 26 seconds. That’s almost 9 minutes better than any other team.

“I did not know that they’ve only been trailing for – you said trailing, right?” safety Xavier McKinney said with a touch of disbelief.

“That’s pretty good,” McKinney said. “That means they have done a great job of starting fast and playing throughout the whole game. It’s going to be a challenge for us but I think with the guys we have in this locker room, I think we’re ready and we’ll be prepared.”

Packers-Vikings Inactives

Jordan Love will play. Jaire Alexander will not.

The Packers made a couple pre-emptive roster moves at cornerback on Saturday.

Fashion Statements

Jordan Love made a serious statement when he wore a Brett Favre jersey to the stadium.

Safety Javon Bullard’s fashion is much more light-hearted.

The team’s standout rookie starter will wear a pair of green shoes adorned with the Grinch.

“I just the like the Grinch,” he said on Friday. “There really ain’t no meaning behind it, for real, but I love the Grinch.”

Why does Bullard like the Grinch?

“I feel like he’s misunderstood,” Bullard said.

Chimed in cornerback Eric Stokes: “That is very true. He’s very misunderstood. People say he’s evil, people think he’s bad, but he got hurt.”

Bullard agreed.

“Someone hurt his feelings and now he’s stuck in his ways but, in reality, he’s really a nice guy.”

Does Bullard think he’s misunderstood?

“I might be understood myself,” he said with a laugh. “I’m really a nice guy. I’m really a nice guy. I think I’m a nice guy.”

Told he is a nice guy, Bullard said, “Thank you.”

(Note: During warmups, he is wearing a pair of white shoes.)

Who Will Stop Justin Jefferson?

Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson is the best in the business and trending toward being one of the best of all-time.

In the Week 2 win over San Francisco, Jefferson reached 6,000 career receiving yards in 62 career games – tied with Hall of Famer Lance Alworth for the fastest to that milepost. If can record 613 receiving yards the rest of the season, he’ll pass Tory Holt (6,784) for most yards through five seasons.

Jefferson’s 98.0 receiving yards per game is the highest mark in NFL history. In 2022, he led the NFL with 106.4 yards per game. In 2023, he upped that to 107.5. Even while missing seven games due to injury, he caught 68 passes for 1,074 yards.

“You can never stop guys like that. You can always just try to contain them,” safety Xavier McKinney said. “Obviously, he’s going to always have big plays but, for us, it’s to challenge him as much as possible.

“Obviously, we’ve got our guys over here that we believe in. We believe in Ja. Ja’s going to be on him all game, so we believe in him, and we believe in the system that Haf [defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley] has put into place for us. For us, we look to go out there and execute, play hard and challenge their best guys.”

Will the Packers have Ja – Jaire Alexander – available? He is questionable with quad and groin injuries.

First-Time Favorites

For the first time this season, the Packers are favorites. Since sportsbooks expected Jordan Love to be back in the lineup, the line didn’t move following Saturday’s big news.

With last week’s win at Tennessee, Packers coach Matt LaFleur is 24-11 against the spread as an underdog, the best percentage for any coach in the Super Bowl era. LaFleur is 20-15 as a underdog. A $100 bet on each of those games would have delivered a payout of $1,695, according to The Action Network.

Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold has led the team’s 3-0 start. He is 3-5 in eight games while on a winning streak.

Big Game, Big Challenge for Packers

With a win, the Packers (2-1) would be tied for first place in the NFC North. With a loss, the Packers would be two games behind the Vikings.

That might not have been the driving force behind Jordan Love’s decision to play on Sunday but it was on his mind.

“I’m trying to push it and I’ve been trying to get back as fast as I can no matter who the opponent was,” Love said. “But definitely, you look at this week and NFC North opponent, 3-0 team, really good team, so definitely it would mean a lot to get back and push myself to get back for this game.”

The Vikings are third in points scored.

“They’re running the ball really well – really well – and then I think his pass game, it’s the scheme and then he’s got really good players, too,” Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley said. “Obviously, the running back’s a phenomenal player and, from what everybody around here says, is one of the most special human beings ever. Everyone seems to rave about him, so I’m sad I never got a chance to meet him.

“And then the offensive line, they’re really well coached, they’re tough, they’re gritty. They’ve really kind of pieced it all together. They’re a talented team with a really good scheme, so they present a challenge. They’ve been scoring a lot of points.”

The Vikings are second in points allowed.

“They pose a big challenge because a lot of their fronts,” offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich said. “There’s just so many guys up on the line of scrimmage and they’re very multiple with their personnels. And they can give a lot of different looks from a lot of different personnels where it’s not a very favorable to run the ball in a lot of situations.

“You just really have to be patient with it and focus on your mentality because there’s going to be some bad looks and you got to get what you can out of them. But they those pose a problem. They got smart players, they pressure a lot, and their very talented across the board, so it’s going to be a really big challenge for us this week.”

Aaron Jones: Win-Win for Vikings

Vikings offensive coordinator Wes Phillips was a quarterback at UTEP. That’s where Aaron Jones played his college football, so Phillips had followed his career.

After the Packers released Jones at the start of free agency, Phillips was excited when the Vikings emerged as a contender to sign him.

“It was a lot like the feeling when the (T.J.) Hockenson (trade) talks were going,” Phillips told reporters in Minneapolis this week. “It was not only excitement about the player and what you know about the player already, but to get him from a division rival – different circumstances, obviously – but to be able to get one of the players that you don’t have to compete against anymore and he’s on your side is a pretty good feeling.”

The Vikings had no running game to speak of last year, when they ranked 29th with 91.4 rushing yards per game and 24th with 3.95 rushing yards per attempt. With his explosive, tackle-breaking style, Jones has fixed that. The Vikings enter Sunday ranked 13th with 125.0 rushing yards per game and 10th with 4.81 rushing yards per attempt.

“All the coaches in Green Bay that I knew, when you are talking about some of your favorite players of all time, and it was really just no question, it’s Aaron Jones.”

Packers-Vikings: How to Watch

TV: CBS, with Kevin Harlan, Trent Green and Melanie Collins on the call.

Is the game on TV where you live?: Check out the broadcast map on 506 Sports publishes.

Streaming: If you don’t live in one of those blue areas on that map, Fubo comes with a seven-day free trial.

Radio: Here’s the list of Packers Radio Network stations, featuring Wayne Larrivee and Larry McCarren on the call.

Packers-Vikings: Kickoff Details

Records: The Packers are 2-1 and the Vikings are 3-0.

Where: Lambeau Field.

Kickoff: Noon.

Coaches: Green Bay – Matt LaFleur (58-28, sixth season). Minnesota – Kevin O’Connell (23-14, third season).

Weather: The weather will be “near perfect,” according to WBAY-TV’s Bo Fogel. It will be sunny and 72 at kickoff with a northeast wind of about 12 mph.

Tickets: Tickets are not cheap for this border battle. They start at $329 on SI Tickets. At least there are no fees.

The line: The news that Jordan Love would start was expected. The line didn’t move – it’s Packers by 3 at DraftKings.

Power rankings: In our Consensus NFL Power Rankings, the Lions, Vikings and Packers are in the top seven.

More Green Bay Packers News

Jordan Love is back | Cornerbacks elevated | Packers-Vikings: Reasons why they’ll lose | Packers-Vikings: Reasons why they’ll win | Packers-Vikings Friday injury report | NFC North power rankings | Mark Bavaro? Yes, Mark Bavaro | Xavier McKinney worth every penny | Jordan Love limited, with a twist | Grab an aspirin | “New” player on practice squad | A lot of love for Aaron Jones | Vikings’ Brian Flores raves about Matt LaFleur | Aaron Jones says thank you | Packers and penalties: Do they matter? | How to watch and what to watch | Packers-Vikings matchups

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Bill Huber
BILL HUBER

Bill Huber, who has covered the Green Bay Packers since 2008, is the publisher of Packers On SI, a Sports Illustrated channel. E-mail: packwriter2002@yahoo.com History: Huber took over Packer Central in August 2019. Twitter: https://twitter.com/BillHuberNFL Background: Huber graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, where he played on the football team, in 1995. He worked in newspapers in Reedsburg, Wisconsin Dells and Shawano before working at The Green Bay News-Chronicle and Green Bay Press-Gazette from 1998 through 2008. With The News-Chronicle, he won several awards for his commentaries and page design. In 2008, he took over as editor of Packer Report Magazine, which was founded by Hall of Fame linebacker Ray Nitschke, and PackerReport.com. In 2019, he took over the new Sports Illustrated site Packer Central, which he has grown into one of the largest sites in the Sports Illustrated Media Group.