Packers Play One of Worst First Halves in Franchise History Against Vikings

The Green Bay Packers trailed the Minnesota Vikings 28-7 at halftime. It was one of the worst first-half performances in Lambeau Field history.

Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love is tackled by Minnesota Vikings linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel. / William Glasheen/USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images

GREEN BAY, Wis. – The Green Bay Packers trailed the Minnesota Vikings 28-7 at halftime on Sunday at Lambeau Field.

Only a late touchdown pass from Jordan Love to Jayden Reed provided the Packers from further embarrassment.

The 21-point halftime deficit was tied for the fifth-largest for the Packers in a game played at Lambeau Field. According to Stathead, the largest halftime deficits:

- 31-0 against the Jets in 2006.

- 28-0 against the Vikings in 1973.

- 27-3 against the Lions in 2023.

- 23-0 against the Lions in 1982.

- 21-0 against the Dolphins in 1975.

- 21-0 against the Rams in 1988.

- 21-0 against the Patriots in 2006.

The Packers trailed 28-0 with 5:28 remaining in the second quarter.

Trailing 21-0, Love’s first-down 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. Doubs slammed his helmet to the turf in frustration.

Offensive holding by the Vikings only allowed Darnold to pad his stats, as he threw a 14-yard touchdown pass to Justin Jefferson. Keisean Nixon was in position but had no idea the ball was coming until Jefferson made the grab in the end zone.

Green Bay’s next drive stalled but Daniel Whelan’s bomb of a punt sailed through the hands of returner Jalen Nailor. Bo Melton recovered the ball at the 3, which set up Love’s touchdown pass to Reed with 15 seconds left in the half.

That play made Whelan the first-half MVP.

The Packers won the toss and deferred. The Vikings took the ball and raced right down the ield. On third-and-14, Darnold hit Nailor for 31 against Eric Stokes. On the next play, Jordan Addison was wide open against Corey Ballentine for the touchdown.

On the ensuing possessions, Green Bay’s horrendous red-zone offense bit them in the butt again and Brayden Narveson drilled the right upright on the field goal.

The Vikings drove right down the field for another touchdown. On the first play, Aaron Jones ran for 17 yards and drew a facemask penalty. That was the one of four defensive penalties on the drive, which ended with Darnold’s 2-yard touchdown pass to tight end Josh Oliver.

On third-and-7 on the ensuing possession, Love’s pass to Christian Watson was intercepted by linebacker Kamu Grugier-Hill. Making matters worse, Watson’s left ankle was bent awkwardly underneath him.

Watson’s day was over, and the Vikings were in the end zone shortly thereafter on Jordan Addison’s 7-yard jet-sweep run in which he broke Nixon’s tackle attempt at the line of scrimmage. Barely 18 minutes into the game, it was 21-0.

The Packers’ next two drives ended with a missed field goal and the Griffin interception, which set up the Vikings for their 28-0 lead.

The Packers’ worst Lambeau Field loss was 40-0 against Detroit on Sept. 20, 1970.

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