It was ugly all night for the Vikings as Kirk Cousins and company totaled just 138 yards of total offense in a 23-10 home loss to the Green Bay Packers Monday night.
The loss clinched two things: the NFC North championship for the Packers (12-3), and the No. 6 seed in the playoffs for the Vikings (10-5). Had Minnesota won – they were 5.5-point favorites – they would’ve had a chance to get the 2nd, 3rd or 5th seed. Instead, their Week 17 game against the Bears has been rendered meaningless.
Kirk Cousins had no time to throw as Green Bay’s defensive line applied constant pressure, resulting in Cousins dropping to 0-9 lifetime on Monday Night Football. Cousins finished 16-of-31 for 122 yards, one touchdown and one interception.
Green Bay sacked Cousins five times, 3.5 from defensive lineman Za’Darius Smith, with Kenny Clark and Preston Smith also getting in on the action.
Minnesota’s rushing game was non-existent without Dalvin Cook (shoulder) and Alexander Mattison (ankle). They finished with 57 yards on 16 carries (3.6 average), led by 28 yards on 11 carries from Mike Boone, who made his first career start.
The Packers limited the Vikings to just seven first downs.
The Vikings defense was solid despite being on the field for more than 36 minutes as Green Bay controlled the time of possession.
Making matters worse is that the Vikings lost linebacker/leading tackler Eric Kendricks to a quad injury. He left the game and was dressed in street clothes during the second half.
Merry Christmas.
