The Vikings went to Lambeau Field on Sunday and left with two black eyes and the No. 3 seed in the NFC playoff race. It was a brutal day all around for Minnesota. Here are five things that stick out like a sore thumb after the game.
1. Questionable strategy after blocked punt
Minnesota had it first-and-goal from the 1-yard line after Josh Mettellus blocked a punt on Green Bay’s opening drive. The Vikings threw incomplete on first down, ran for no gain on second down and then decided to run up the middle on third down even though backup center Austin Schlottmann was injured and Chris Reed, the third-string center, was in the game for his first snap of the season.
The result was Reed getting bull-rushed backward and Cook getting stuffed. Minnesota had to settle for a field goal, wasting a golden opportunity for a touchdown.
2. 4th down hero to 4th down zero
The Packers got aggressive on 4th-and-1 from the Vikings’ 41-yard line and Dalvin Tomlinson made them pay as he burst into the backfield and sacked Rodgers for a 16-yard loss and a turnover on down.
The Vikings took over and on 3rd-and-10 Kirk Cousins’ pass over the middle to T.J. Hockenson was tipped and intercepted by Darnell Savage, who raced down the field for a 75-yard defensive touchdown. Cousins was 1-of-8 for 8 yards after that throw.
A savage pick-6 for @darnellsavage_ 😳
📺: #MINvsGB on CBS
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/ePbCm6rlT4 pic.twitter.com/9TxFBH6JhB— NFL (@NFL) January 1, 2023
Adding injury to insult was right tackle Brian O’Neill being helped to the sidelines after being banged up on the interception return.
3. Greg Joseph’s 61-yarder was a fluke?
Joseph pushed a 46-yarder wide right and then yanked a 50-yard attempt way left. Those were huge misses because had he made them both, Minnesota would’ve likely been down 24-9 at the half rather than 27-3. Remember, his second miss gave the Packers great field position and they took advantage by setting Mason Crosby up for a 56-yarder that he made as time expired in the first half.
Just eight days earlier Joseph was the hero, making a 61-yard field goal to help the Vikings beat the Giants in overtime. But if you take that 61-yarder away, Joseph is now 2-of-8 on field goals from 50+ yards.
4. Justin Jefferson’s pursuit of 2,000 yards halted
Jefferson entered the day with 1,756 yards and had a realistic shot at becoming the first 2,000-yard receiver in NFL history. But with one catch for 15 yards at Lambeau, he’ll need 229 yards agains the Bears to get to 2,000 yards.
Being shut down also means his name is likely being scratched from the MVP ballot by the 50 people who vote on the award. He was a long shot as a wide receiver in the first place, but a game like Sunday was exactly what he needed to avoid to remain in the conversation.
5. Is getting the 3 seed better for the Vikings?
Minnesota can still get the No. 2 seed with a win next week in Chicago coupled with a 49ers loss at home to the Cardinals. But there’s an argument to made for the No. 3 seed being better for Minnesota.
Yes, it probably prevents them from hosting two playoff games, but it gives them a first round matchup with the Giants in Minneapolis rather than having to face the Lions or Packers, who are fighting with Seattle and Washington for the No. 7 seed.
Minnesota beat the Giants but lost (handily) in their most recent games to the Lions and Packers. The only downfall is that a win in the first round as the No. 3 seed could mean a date with the 49ers in San Francisco in the second round. Either that or a second round home game if the Seahawks, Lions, Packers or Commanders upset the 49ers on Super Wild Card Weekend.
